A DESPERATE PLAN
Marshall and the chancellor insist on being betrothal in a fortnight’s time. There is a news by Johann that king is so ill that a physician is being held in the castle to look announced that the king and Princess will publicly solemnize their after him. Rassendyll has two strong reasons, therefore, for pressing on immediately with an attempt to rescue the king. Johann says,
“Detchard and Bersonin watch by night, Rupert and Gautet by day.”
The door leading to the pair of rooms containing the king and his guards is looked and the only four gentlemen have keys. Michael’s rooms are in the new part of the castle, just across the moat from the king’s cell and by the drawbridge. Mauban is looked in an apartment also in the new castle just by the drawbridge but on the other side of the approach to it. Only the duke holds the key to the drawbridge, which is drawn back at night. Johann and five other servants sleep in the entrance hall of the new castle. Michael does not trust them with firearms. Rassendyll draws up the plan of attack of the next night. At two in the morning Johann will open the door of the new castle. Sapt, with a strong party of men will over power the servants. At the same moment, Mauban acting on a letter conveyed by Johann will scream for help as if Rupert is attacking her. This should bring Michael out to her and then Sapt will capture him alive. Sapt will then have the drawbridge run out and it is likely that Rupert, possibly with De Gautet, will rush across the bridge to see what is happening. Rassendyll equipped with a small ladder and hiding the moat will get into the bridge and kill Rupert and possible De Gautet as well. Taking the keys to the rooms in the old castle he will then lead a swift raid to try and save the king. He then goes to meet with Princess she slips a ring on his finger and Rassendyll takes it of and puts it in her finger saying,
“Wear that ring even though you wear another when you are queen.”
And she says,
“Whatever else I wear this I will wear till I die.”
QUESTIONS
Q1. Why does Johann take the letter of Rassendyll to De Mauban?
Ans. Johann takes the letter of Rassendyll to De Mauban because he is forced by the Rudolf Rassendyll and is offered money.
Q2. Why does Black Michael keep a physician in the castle?
Ans. He keeps a physician in the castle to treat his brother, the real king. Michael wants him to die when his mission gets complete.
