My lantern was closed, the revolver was in my hand.I heard not a sound.Presently a large dark object loomed out of the gloom ahead of me.It was the summer-house.Reaching the steps, I mounted them and found myself confronted by a weak, rickety wooden door, which hung upon the latch.I pushed it open and walked in.A woman flew to me and seized my hand.
"Shut the door," she whispered.
I obeyed and turned the light of my lantern on her.She was in evening dress, arrayed very sumptuously, and her dark striking beauty was marvellously displayed in the glare of the bull's-eye.
The summer-house was a bare little room, furnished only with a couple of chairs and a small iron table, such as one sees in a tea garden or an open-air cafe.
"Don't talk," she said."We've no time.Listen! I know you, Mr.Rassendyll.I wrote that letter at the duke's orders.""So I thought," said I.
"In twenty minutes three men will be here to kill you.""Three--the three?"
"Yes.You must be gone by then.If not, tonight you'll be killed--""Or they will."
"Listen, listen! When you're killed, your body will be taken to a low quarter of the town.It will be found there.Michael will at once arrest all your friends--Colonel Sapt and Captain von Tarlenheim first--proclaim a state of siege in Strelsau, and send a messenger to Zenda.The other three will murder the King in the Castle, and the duke will proclaim either himself or the princess--himself, if he is strong enough.Anyhow, he'll marry her, and become king in fact, and soon in name.Do you see?""It's a pretty plot.But why, madame, do you--?""Say I'm a Christian--or say I'm jealous.My God! shall I see him marry her? Now go; but remember--this is what I have to tell you--that never, by night or by day, are you safe.