Rupert of Hentzau

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Three years have passed since Rudolf Rassendyll crushed Black Michael and held the throne of Ruritania for the helpless prisoner of Zenda, and King Rudolf V forgets that he owes both his life and his crown to the Englishman. Rudolf V is full of jealous suspicions of his Queen, the beautiful Flavia, because of her known love for Rassendyll. Flavia sends a letter of final dissolution of their love to Rassendyll. This falls into the hands of Bauer, a spy of Rupert of Hentzau's who would use it as a lever for obtaining a pardon from the King for his share in the Black Michael conspiracy. A copy of this letter is sent to the King, and Rupert retains the original. When the Englishman hears of the stolen letters he sets out himself for Zenda. A telegram is sent to Rupert telling him to meet the King at the hunting lodge in the forest with the original letter. The Englishman intends to keep the appointment himself in person and make an end of Rupert of Hentzau. Rupert comes to the lodge and is surprised at the manner of his reception, the King and his solitary servant seizing their arms in utter consternation, at the sight of this young outlaw. As the King will not listen to his story or taken the casket he proffers, Rupert tosses it at him contemptuously and kills the faithful attendant who had sprung forward to avenge his insolence. The King, now certain that his old enemy has come to assassinate him, fires and misses. Rudolf retaliates, with a fatal shot. By an accidental fire at the lodge that night both corpses were burned beyond recognition. Rassendyll will not wait to consider anything until the letter in Rupert's possession is destroyed. They meet, swords are drawn, and Rupert of Hentzau comes to his death. Old Sapt tells them of the destruction of the hunting lodge and insists that it is Mr. Rassendyll's body which has been burned beyond recognition. Rassendyll passes himself off as the King, and at night the spy Bauer, crept into the gardens to avenge his master's death and Rassendyll falls mortally wounded by the traitor's bullet.