THE SECRET OF A CELLAR
When they become free from the coronation they talk to each other. Fritz says,
“What a day for you to remember. Gad, I’d like to be a king for twelve hours myself! But, Rassendyll, you mustn’t throw your heart too much into the part. I don’t wonder Black Michael looked blacker than ever — you and the princess had so much to say to one another.“
Rudolf is informed that Black Michael has got a message from Zenda and he is upset. Sapt tries to make Rudolf to write an order for himself to go out side the city and signs on it. Order is prepared and that king is leaving the city and Fritz is ordered not to allow any one to meet with the new king till 9 O’clock in the morning. Sapt and Rassendyll leave Strelsau and leave for Zenda to find the real king through secret door. They get the key of the city gate by the guard’s daughter and Sapt says to the little girl giving a crown to her,
“Here’s an order from the king, show it to your father. Orderly, open the gate!”
They start their journey towards Zenda and in the middle Sapt feels that they are followed by two horsemen. They take a side and hide themselves under the trees near Zenda and wait for the followers. When they see them they come to know that they are Black Michael and his servant Max Holf. Then they understand that king has been kidnapped by Duke. They turn to Zenda but they do not find king there Rassendyll says,
“King is not here.”
Josef and her mother both are killed.
QUESTIONS
Q1. Why is Rassendyll warned not to involve in the matters of Ruritania?
Ans. Rassendyll is warned not to involve in the matters of Ruritania because he is an impersonation. He is agreed to play the role of the king for few days, as the real king is unconscious due to wine.
Q2. Why do Rudolf Rassendyll and Sapt leave for Zenda?
Ans. They leave for Zenda to restore the real king as he is in the cellar of wine and they have to take him back.
