The Prisoner of Zenda

Ant h o ny H o p e

Par t 2

Glossary 11

Pa r t 2
About this Story 11
Activities 11
Link to Original Text 11

‘They’ll kill you!’

Characters
King Rudolf is now a prisoner of Black
Rupert Henztau - young adventurer. Works for
Michael. Only Rudolf Rassendyll from Black Michael

Sapt & Fritz – loyal friends of King Rudolf

England can save him. Black Michael – wants to replace Rudolf as King
Antoinette de Mauban –mistress of Black Michael
Detchard, De Gautet, Bersonin - Black Michael’s
with men.
glossary
&

activities

Level: Pre- Intermediate

Retold by Kieran McGovern for eslreading.org

 Part 2Y
N O N U M MY help us.’
A Message From The Castle Sapt did not want me to go. But after
some time he said, ‘You can go. But I will come
with you to the garden.’
King Ru d o l f i s n ow a p r i s o n e r o f At half-past eleven that night we rode
to the place. It was a very dark night. I carried a
Black Mi c h a e l .
light. I also had a gun and a sword.
We came to the house. A wall went
A week later Sapt came to see me. ‘The King is at
round the garden. We found the door. I got off
my horse.
‘I’ll wait here,’ said Sapt. ‘Good luck!’

They’re coming.

I opened the door and walked across the gar-

den to the summer house. I pushed the door
open. A woman stood before me.
‘Shut the door,’ she said.
I shut the door and looked at the
woman. She was beautiful. Her clothes were
beautiful, too.
‘Don’t talk,’ she said. ‘I know you, Mr
the Castle of Zenda,’ he said. ‘Rupert Hentzau and
Rassendyll. Michael wrote that letter. In twenty
two other men are with him. The drawbridge
minutes three men will be here. They’ll kill you.’
stays up.
‘Three - the three?’
‘Who opens it?’
‘Yes. They’ll kill you and leave you in the
‘Only Hentzau or Black Michael.’
Old Town. Somebody will find you. Michael will
Sapt gave me a letter. There was no sig-
then send a message to Zenda. The other three
nature but I guessed it was from Antoinette de
will kill the King. Michael will then become King
Mauban I opened it and read it out to Sap.t
and marry the Princess.’
‘She has a message for me and wants
‘Its a clever plan. But why are you telling
me to meet her at twelve o’clock tonight,’ I
it to me?’
explained to Sapt.
‘I don’t want Michael to marry the prin-
‘Where?’
cess. Now go! And be careful!’
‘In a garden at the end of New Avenue.
I took her hand and kissed it. ‘You are
There’s summerhouse there.’
helping the King tonight,’ I said. ‘Where is he in
Sapt laughed. ‘Black Michael sent that
the Castle?’
letter,’ he said.
‘Across the drawbridge you come to a
I told Sapt about Antoinette de
heavy door. Behind the door ... Listen! What’s
Mauban. Then I said, ‘I’ll go. I think that she can

  Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading

that?’ ‘No,’ said Sapt. ‘She left by train at twelve
From outside came the sound of foot- o’clock. She bought a ticket to Dresden. But the
steps. train stops at Zenda.’
‘They’re coming. They’re too soon!’ Her ‘We are doing well!’
face went white. ‘No!’ said Sapt. ‘The people here in the
I went to the door. city are angry. They want the King to marry
‘Mr Rassendyll, we want to talk to you,’ said Princess Flavia quickly. And the Princess is angry
the English man, Detchard. ‘Can we come in? with the King.’
We can help you. Well give you fifty thousand ‘What can I do?’
pounds. Well help you leave Ruritania.’ ‘There is a dance tonight in the city. You
‘They’ll kill you,’ said Antoinette in my ear. must talk to her.’
I understood their plan. ‘Give me a ‘She loves you,’ said Fritz. ‘And she is very
minute,’ I said.
I turned to Antoinette. ‘Stand
They’ll sad. She wants you to show her love.’
That night I danced many times with
close to the wall,’ I said. kill you! Princess Flavia. -We were happy together.
In the summer house there was Everybody looked at us.
a small tea-table. I took it in my hands.
I called out. ‘I will take your money. Open Angry
the door.’
The door opened. I saw the three men Later we drank coffee in a small room. I looked
with their guns ready. I ran at them, with the at in her eyes. She was very beautiful!
table in my hands. They shot at me. I hit them What could I do? I forgot the King in
with the table. We all fell down. Zenda. I forgot everything. I kissed her hand.
I stood up and laughed. Detchard was Suddenly she pushed me away. ‘Is it
under the table. He shot at me again. I shot true? Do you love me? Or do you only love your
back. Then I climbed over the garden wall. country?’
‘They want the King to marry Princess ‘It is true!’ I answered. ‘I love you more
Flavia quickly’ than anything in the world!’
‘I did not love you before the coronation.
You must talk to her. But now I do!’
I was very happy. Who won her love? It
The next day Fritz and Sapt came to see me. was not the King. Rudolf Rassendyll won her
‘Black Michael left Strelsau this morning,’ he told love.
me. ‘De Gautet, Bersonin and Detchard went I took her in my arms. ‘I want to tell you
with him. They went on the road to Zenda.’ something,’ I said. ‘To you I am the King - ‘
I laughed. ‘How is my friend Detchard?’ ‘I love you, Rudolf,’ said the Princess. ‘I
Fritz smiled. ‘He cannot move his arm,’ he don’t love ‘the King’.’
said. ‘Flavia,’ I said. ‘I am not -’
‘Good. Did Antoinette de Mauban go Suddenly a man came into the room. It
with them?’ was Sapt. He looked angry.

Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading  

 ‘I am sorry,’ he said. ‘Everybody is waiting Then he’ll kill the King.’
for the King.’
We went back. The dance ended. The Rupert visits
Princess looked
very happy. But Michael sent Rupert Hentzau to see us. He was
I was very, very twenty-two or twenty-three.
sad. He had a message for us. ‘Michael’s ill,’ said
The next Rupert. ‘And he cannot see anyone. He is very
day I went to see sorry about that.’
Flavia. ‘I am leaving Strelsau for a short time,’ I ‘I am sorry,’ I said. ‘How is my friend
told her. ‘I’m going hunting.’ Detchard? Is he ill, too?’
‘Is it not interesting here? I am sorry.’ Rupert smiled. ‘He will soon feel better.’
She was angry with me. She did not I laughed. I liked Rupert because he was
speak again for a few minutes. Then she began clever and brave.
to cry. They left soon after. Later that night Fritz and I
‘What is it?’ I asked. went to the village of Zenda. I covered my face
‘You were not like this before the corona- with my coat.
tion. I gave my love to a different King!’ We took a room for the night. The old
I took her in my arms. woman did not know me. Later her daughter
‘My love, this hunt is not .... I am going brought dinner to our room.
after Michael.’ ‘Are you Ill?’ she asked.
Her face became white. She was very I moved the coat from my face. The girl
afraid. called out in surprise.
‘Please, don’t go into danger, Rudolf! ‘It was the King, then! We saw your pic-
When will you be back?’ ture. Oh, I am sorry!’
‘I don’t know, my love.’ ‘You did nothing wrong. But you must
‘Come soon, Rudolf! Please come soon!’ say nothing about the King to anybody. Is
‘I will. I will see you once more!’ Johann here?’
Fritz found a house for us. It was in a for- ‘No, he is at the Castle. They say there is a
est about five miles from Zenda. We told every- woman there now.’
one, ‘We are here to hunt.’ ‘Send Johann a message. He must meet
Ten men came with us. They all loved you tomorrow night at ten o’clock on the road
the King. Sapt spoke to them about the prisoner to Zenda. You will walk home with him.’
at Zenda. ‘This prisoner,’ he said, ‘is a friend of the She was a little afraid. I gave her some
King. Michael is holding him at the Castle.’ money. We finished dinner. I covered my face
‘What can we do?’ said Fritz to Sapt and and we went out again.
me. ‘We cant fight at the Castle - Michael will kill
the King. He knows were here. He’s waiting for ‘Michael will give you gold’
us.’-
‘Michael thinks that I want to be King,’ I The next morning Rupert Hentzau came back to
said. ‘He wont kill the King now. He’ll kill me first! the house. ‘I have a message from Michael,’ he

  Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading

said. ‘Michael,’ he said, ‘will kill me. I know too
I sent the others away. He sat down next much.’
to me. ‘We wont kill you,’ I told him.
‘Rassendyll,’ he began. ‘I want to help Johann told us about two rooms below
you. I like you.’ the Castle. Only one room had a small window.
‘What’s the message?’ This looked out onto the moat.
‘Michael will give you gold. But
you must leave Ruritania.’
I laughed.
‘Is the answer ‘‘no’’?’ Rupert smiled
happily. ‘Then we’ll kill you!’
Again I laughed. ‘You’ll be dead
first. How is you prisoner?’
‘He’s not dead. And how is your
pretty Princess? I know you like her very
much. But it’s no good. Black Michael
will marry her, and - ‘
I got up. ‘Go, or I’ll kill you,’ I said.
Rupert turned to his horse. Then he ‘There are always three of Black Michael’s men
turned to me. I watched his right hand. His left in the outside room. The King is in the inner
hand was in his coat. room. They can kill him at any time.
Suddenly I saw the sword in his left hand. And there is a pipe going from the inner
But it was too late. The sword cut my arm. I room down into the moat. They will drop the
called out and fell back. dead King down the pipe into the water. They
My friends shot at him. But it was no good. can also leave the Castle through the pipe.’
Rupert jumped on his horse and rode away. He ‘Will they kill the King?’
was afraid of nothing. ‘Yes. But they must kill you first,’ said
Johann.
Johann returns I looked at Sapt and Fritz. We were all
afraid.
Sept and Fritz carried me to bed. I slept for some ‘Does the King know about this plan.
time. Then I heard noise. I opened my eyes. ‘Yes,’ Johann answered. ‘I put the pipe
Fritz was there. ‘We cleaned the cut,’ he there. Rupert Hentzau watched.
said. ‘It’ll soon be better. And we’ve got Johann The King asked about the pipe. Rupert
here.’ laughed. ‘‘Its to take you from this world to the
‘Bring him in,’ I said. next world!’’ he said.’’
Johann came into the room. Sapt walked ‘How is the King?’
behind him and pushed a gun in his back. ‘Very bad. He’s very ill.‘
Johann was very afraid. But he wanted to help Sapt looked at me. ‘We must do some-
us. thing soon,’ he said.

Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading  

 ‘We’ll drop the dead prisoner down the
It was too dangerous pipe into the moat. Then there’ll be only two
men: Rupert Hentzau and the King of Ruritania.’
The next night we went out. It was dark and Suddenly Rupert was very happy. ‘You’ll
wet. I carried my sword. Sapt and Fritz brought be King,’ he said. ‘You’ll get your princess. And for
horses and men. We did not go through the me - a little money, perhaps.’
town of Zenda. We climbed up to he castle. ‘You’re the worst man in the world!’ I said.
We stopped near the castle. Three of ‘Remember this. The Princess is a beauti-
the men hid. Fritz, Sapt and I went on. We met ful girl. I like beautiful girls.
nobody. We came to the moat. I wanted to kill him. But I started to
I climbed down into the moat. It was laugh. ‘You are one of the Michael’s men. Are
not cold. I swam round the walls. I could not see you now against him?’
much. There were lights in the new building. ‘I almost put a sword in him last night.’
I found the pipe. It was very big. I Now I was not angry. I wanted to learn
swam closer and looked inside. I could see “You something about Michael and Rupert.
the light from the Kings room. must ‘Was it about a woman?’ I asked.
Then I heard the King speak, ‘I
wait!” ‘Yes, a beautiful one. You know
want my brother to kill me. Anything is her.’
better than this!’ ‘Did we meet round the tea table? With
A second person spoke. It was Detchard. your friends?’
‘Michael doesn’t want you dead - not now! You ‘You were lucky! I wasn’t there.’
must wait! Sleep well!’ ‘And does Michael wants your girl?’
The light went. The door closed. The King ‘No. That’s not it. She likes him better. But
began to cry. perhaps I can change that!’
I did not call to him. It was too danger-
ous! I could do no more that night! Angry
The next morning I rode out to the for-
est. After an hour I saw Rupert Hentzau in front I rode back to the house. There was a letter
of me. I rode after him. He turned quickly. there for me. I opened it.
‘I don’t want to fight,’ I said. ‘I want to talk.’
He slowed his horse Johann will bring this to you.
‘You can help the King,’ I said. ‘Bring him I helped you once. Now please help
to me.’ me!
Rupert smiled. ‘No,’ he said. ‘You listen to - A. de M.
me.’
Rupert’s plan How could I help Antoinette? Everyone
at the castle was ready to fight us. And there
He spoke more quietly. ‘Come with your men was very little time left.
to the castle tomorrow. There’ll be a fight. And The people in Strelsau were angry. They
when Sapt, Fritz and Michael are all dead - ’ wanted the King back in his palace. They want-
‘What!’ ed him to marry Princess Flavia.

  Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading

 I sent a message to the newspaper in where I’ll fight Rupert. I’m hoping the other men
Strelsau. The next day it was on the front page: will leave the King and come out to help him.’

Prisoner
The Ruritania Times
KING TO MARRY FLAVIA IN FOURTEEN DAYS At one o’clock the next night I swam to the pipe.
The drawbridge was above me to the right. I
looked at the new house.
of the newspaper. Near the drawbridge on the right there
Johann brought us news from the castle. was a window. This was Michael’s room. The
‘I was with Black Michael, Rupert and Antoinette window for Antoinette’s room was to the left of
de Mauban when the newspaper arrived.’ he the drawbridge.
told us. Suddenly there was a light in Michael’s
‘What happened?’ room. Someone opened the window and
‘Rupert laughed at Michael. He said, looked out. I saw Antoinette’s pretty head.
“Rassendyll is a better King than you. And the Then a man came out. He put his arm
Princess is lucky. She will marry the best man in around her. She moved away. He laughed. It was
the country.’ Rupert.
‘And how is the King?’ It was too early!
‘Very bad. He’s too ill to move easily. Then he said something I could not hear,
Antoinette de Mauban sees him every day. He’s and she replied: ‘I will jump into the moat!’
in great danger.’ He looked out of the window. ‘Why do
We asked Johann many more questions. you love Black Michael? He already has the
Then I gave him a message for Antoinette de Princess.’
Mauban. ‘You must give this to her. Then at two ‘I’ll tell him - ‘
o’clock tomorrow morning go to the front door Rupert laughed. Then he kissed her
of the new building. Open the door and then quickly. ‘Tell him that!’
run.’ Suddenly a door opened. A man said,
Johann was very afraid. But he went back ‘What are you doing here?’
to the Castle. I called Sapt and Fritz. I told them ‘I was helping this young woman,’ said
my plan. Rupert with a laugh. ‘She was sad because you
‘Sapt, you will take some men to the were not there.’
front door. Johann will open the door for you. At Now I saw the other man. It was Black
the same time Antoinette de Mauban will call Michael. He was very angry.
out: ‘Help! Michael, help!’ Then she will call out ‘You can leave us,’ said Michael. ‘The
the name of Rupert Hentzau. drawbridge will go up in ten minutes. And you
‘Michael will be very angry with Rupert. don’t want to swim to your bed.
He will run out - and Sapt’s men will get him. Rupert walked back across the draw-
‘Rupert will be in the other building. He’ll bridge. Some men pulled it up behind him.
hear his name and come out. My men will lower Ten minutes later I heard a sound. I
the drawbridge. I’ll swim to the drawbridge looked up and saw a man climb the wall to my

Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading  

right. It was Rupert again. He had his sword. Michael!’ Johann was with Michael. How could
Rupert swam under the water. I wanted he open the door for me? Perhaps he was dead.
to swim out to him. I wanted to fight. But the Michael called out, ‘Help!’ Then there was
King was more important. I watched. I waited. a noise from near the King’s room above me.
He climbed up steps in the wall to the But nobody came.
gate. Then he took out a key. I heard the sound I watched Rupert over the moat. He was
of a key in the door. fighting five or six men, but was too good for
I swam to the drawbridge. Then I them.
climbed up the wall. I waited near the gate and Suddenly Rupert jumped up to the win-
listened. dow. He laughed at all the men round him. Then
There was no light in Michael’s room. But he jumped into the moat.
there was light from one of the other windows. I did not see him after that. De Gautet
I was not the only man with a plan that suddenly came through the door. I killed him
night. with my sword.
I took the keys from him. There were only
Help! three. I took the biggest. It opened the door
near me. I closed the door and
The moat was now between Rupert and the went through. There were some
King. De Gautet was in bed. Only Detchard steps down to a door. There were
and Bersonin were with the King. I waited people behind the door.
for my friends to arrive with the keys. ‘What is happening?’
There was light in Antoinette de someone said.
Mauban’s room. Michael’s room was dark.
Then there was the sound of a key turning in ‘Do we kill him now?’
a door. I knew it was Rupert.
Just before two o’clock there was a And another answered: ‘Do
sudden noise. The light in the window went we kill him now?’
out. Then I heard Detchard.
Suddenly there was a cry from ‘Wait. We must not kill him too
Antoinette’s room: ‘Help! Michael, help!’ soon.’
Then a man called out, ‘Open the door!’ It A key turned in the door. It was time.
was Black Michael. I ran down the steps. I pushed through the door.
The answer came from the words in my Bersonin stood there with his sword in his hand.
letter: ‘Help, Michael - Hentzau!’ Detchard was in the corner.
Suddenly everything was happen- I fought Bersonin and killed him. Then
ing too quickly. Doors opened all round the I turned - Detchard was not there. There was a
castle. There was noise everywhere. second door. The King’s room! Detchard was in
Antoinette’s window opened. Rupert stood the King’s room!
there with his sword. He turned and jumped I ran through the door. The King was in
back into the room. the corner of the room. The doctor was in front
‘Johann, this is for you! And now for of him.

  Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading

 Detchard tried to get to the King. The fight for her!’
doctor tried to stop him. Detchard pushed his I opened the door and looked out. The
sword into the doctor and turned to me. ‘Now bridge was down. Michael’s men were there
you I am going to kill you!’ he said. next to it. Some carried lights. Other men had
Detchard fought very well. He drove me swords. They were all afraid.
against the window and the pipe. He cut my Rupert was at the centre of the bridge.
arm. Michael’s men watched him. I saw Johann with
I was afraid for the King until he jumped them. He had a cut on his face.
up and cried, ‘It’s my brother, Rudolf! I’ll help ‘Michael, you dog!’ Rupert called. ‘Are you
you, brother!’ He took up a chair. He could only afraid? Come and fight me!’
move it a little. Suddenly a woman called out. ‘He’s dead!
‘Come on!’ I called. ‘Hit his legs!’ He’s dead!’
The King laughed and pushed the chair ‘Dead!’ said Rupert. He laughed. ‘I won!
in front of him. Put those swords down. You are my servants
With a quick jump Detchard, turned to now!’
the King. He hit him hard. The King fell down. Michael’s men were very afraid. But sud-
Detchard turned to me. But he moved too denly there was noise from a different part of
quickly. He fell over the dead doctor. I pushed the castle. It was my men. They were late, but I
my sword into him. was very happy!
Was the King dead? He did not move. I Suddenly a woman came on to the
was very afraid. drawbridge. It was Antoinette de Mauban. Her
face was white and she looked very angry. Then
‘Michael, come and fight for her!’ I saw that she had a gun.

Suddenly I heard a loud noise from outside. I ran after him

There were men on the drawbridge. Perhaps
they were Michael’s men. I could Antoinette shot at Rupert. It hit
not stay with the King. the door above my head. Rupert
I went to the outside looked at her and said ‘I can’t kill
room. I listened. I wanted to hear a girl I’ve kissed,’
Sapt and my friends. I was very Antoinette lifted her gun
tired. I could not fight for much again. Rupert laughed and
longer. jumped into the moat. I jumped
I went slowly up the stairs. into the water after him. My
Suddenly I heard a sound. It was sword was in my hand.
the laugh of Rupert Hentzau. I He swam quickly. I was
did not understand. But I knew tired. I called to him. He swam
that my men were not there. on. Then he climbed out of the
I sat down against the door. Then I heard water. He saw me.
Rupert again. ‘Come over the bridge,’ he called. ‘Hello! Who’s here?’ he called. ‘Oh, it’s you!
‘Whereas Black Michael? Michael, come and What are you doing here?’

Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading  

 He smiled down at me and ran off into me.’
the forest. I climbed out of the water and ran ‘I want to come with you,’ she said.
after him.But he ran faster. ‘No,’ I said quickly. ‘Don’t talk
I could not go on. I stopped and about that!’
looked back. I saw a man on a horse. It ‘Why not? I love you. But
was my friend Fritz. He had a gun in his is love more important than my
hand. country?’
Rupert looked back and laughed I did not answer. I did not
at me. ‘Well meet again, Rupert help her. She came near and put
Rassendyll,’ he said. her hand on my arm.
Fritz shot at Rupert. Rupert rode For some minutes she did
away fast. not speak. Then she said, ‘I cannot leave, Rudolf. I
I was very angry. I wanted to go after must stay here for Ruritania. Why did we meet? I
Rupert. But Fritz got off his horse. He came and don’t know. But I must stay.’
put his arm round me. I said nothing. After a time she said, ‘Your
‘Give me the horse,’ I cried. I pushed Fritz love will always be with me. But you must go.
away and tried to get up. But I could not move.’ And I must stay.’-
‘Fritz!’ I said. ‘Will the King - ‘ ‘My beautiful Princess!’ I said.
‘Yes,’ said Fritz. ‘The King will live. And it’s because ‘My love! Perhaps we will never meet
of you!’ again. Kiss me! And go!’
I closed my eyes. I was very tired and very I kissed her. She held me. She said my
cold. Soon I went to sleep. name again and again.
Then I left her.
The Future?
Rudolf - Flavia – always
I went to see Princess Flavia for the last time. She
was in a small beautiful room. There was very lit- Now I live a very quietly in England. Every year I
tle light. The Princess stood by the window. go for a week to Dresden. I meet my friend Fritz.
I walked up to her. Then I kissed her hand. He tells me all the news from Strelsau. In the
She did not move. evenings we walk around the city.
‘Flavia! Do you know - ‘ We talk about Sapt and about the King.
She took my arm. ‘I know everything. Sit We often talk about young Rupert. And late at
down - here!’ night we talk about Flavia.
She put her hand on my head. ‘How hot Every year Fritz carries with him to
your head is!’ she said. Dresden a little box. In it there is a flower and
I knew that she was afraid. ‘I love you,’ I a message. The message is always the same.
said. ‘I loved you the first time I saw you. You are ‘Rudolf - Flavia - always.’
the only woman in the world for me.’ Will I see her again? Will I see her face and
‘Oh, Rudolf! It was you I loved - not the her beautiful hair? I do not know. But everything
King. But what can we do now?’ I do is for her.
‘I must go away tonight. People must not see The End

10  Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading

 000The Prisoner of Zenda: ����������
Glossary & Activities
��� ����������

Glossary

moat - water
around a castle- About: The Prisoner of Zenda
drawbridge - Anthony Hope wrote several adven-
bridge over moat. tures stories about an imaginary cen-
You raise this to tral European country called Ruritania.
keep attackers out.
pipe - to carry The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and
water from one place to another- a sequel Rupert of Hentzau (1898)
sword - long steel were the most popular. ‘The Prisoner
blade used for fight- of Zenda’ was adapted for the stage
ing. in 1895 and there have been several
films.

Try the original story?

1. Choose a word fron the list below to com-
plete each of these sentences: In the original story is much longer, with
more characters and a more complex
story.
a) Water is connected to the house by a ......
b) You can ... on a horse. The language, grammar and syntax are
difficult but confident readers can try
c) Somebody becomes a King at a ... the original novel, complete with audio
d) When you go hunting you can sometimes recording from the excellent LibriVox
project here:
stay at a hunting ......
e) The water round a castle is called a ....
f ) The room under the house is called the ........
g) A ------ is someone who looks exactly like
another person.

lodge, coronation, cellar, double, moat, ride,

pipe

Answers

1. a) pipe b) ride c) coronation d) lodge e) moat f )

cellar g) double

Prisoner of Zenda  ESL Reading  11