The Prisoner of Zenda Page #7

Very thoughtful, Johann.

Rather damp, these old moats.

Are your men ready?

If a shot's heard before the bridge is down,

the king will be killed.

I understand.

Go now. Give Mr. Rassendyll time

to hide in the passage.

Then open the great doors,

and let down the bridge.

I hope I can work

the mechanism, madame.

I certainly hope you can.

The duke has retired for the night.

Hentzau is in charge of the guards.

I've been hoping

I'd meet that young man again.

The crash of the bridge

will arouse the castle.

The guards will follow their orders and kill

the king before your men can get to him.

- Unless...

- Unless I can handle the two of them...

...until our men can get down to me?

Exactly.

You see, I've trusted you.

Your word. No harm to Michael.

We've all agreed.

It means exile, of course,

but that's what you want, isn't it?

Down the steps

is the passage to the guardroom.

Across the guardroom is the door

to the dungeon and the king.

What was that?

Oh, probably the castle cat.

What, and leave 10 minutes early?

That duke's just as nervous as a kitten.

He must expect old Zapt to bob up out

of Jacob's ladder in a diving helmet.

- Is it true, Hentzau, it's time for more men?

- Yes, a regular garrison!

Maybe the duke will give us eight-hour

shifts after this.

Twelve hours is too long a guard.

You can go in and out as you like.

We have to stay in that dingy hole.

I'll have a look at the doors

and the bridge before I turn in.

It was very careless of you

to leave your door ajar.

Very careless and very inviting.

Yes.

Now, come. Admit I've been patient.

And patience is a virtue I generally lack.

You never lack audacity, Rupert.

Had it occurred to you

I might not be alone?

I always accept the risks

and am prepared for them.

You... -

You really shouldn't be here, you know.

Of course I shouldn't.

I was only apologizing for your absence,

Your Highness.

The moat can hold

more than the king, Hentzau.

Is Your Highness threatening me?

Michael! Michael!

Why did I let them come?

Oh, Michael.

Oh, I only did it to save you, my darling.

De Gautet! Lauengram! Rouse the castle!

De Gautet! Lauengram!

The drawbridge! Quick!

Caught a servant trying to lower the bridge.

Must've been bribed. Go outside, guard it.

Quiet. Very quiet.

Kill the king!

Cousin Rudolf!

I'll help you. I'll help you, cousin.

It's all right now, sire. You're safe.

Cousin Rudolf.

Well, if it isn't the play-actor!

With his tin sword too.

You'll have no more use for that.

That's a pity.

When did you give up knives for pistols?

Oh, I left my knife in Michael.

He got in my way once too often.

I'll relieve you of those too.

You've settled Krafstein, I see.

And Bersonin too, I presume?

My compliments.

They tell me you rather fancy yourself

with a saber.

Why not finish me off

in a more sporting fashion?

You may as well face it, Rassendyll.

I'm not a gentleman.

If I were only some king's twin.

Well, I'm sorry.

I really am sorry.

How do you know I didn't kill the king

and drop him into the moat?

Oh, no. You've worn the queen's uniform

and the old school tie.

You wouldn't do that.

Why not take a look?

Well, what if the king is dead?

What's your offer? Talk fast.

Well, couldn't we have a smoke

while we're talking?

You mentioned something once about

Michael's castles and estates, remember?

You think you can buy your life

for a few old stones...

...and two provinces of mulberry trees?

- I suppose I'm not in a position to haggle.

- Scarcely.

Half my kingdom!

For a match.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Never mind that.

Touch, Rassendyll.

I cannot get used to fighting

with furniture.

- Where'd you learn it?

- That all goes with the old school tie.

Well, then,

here's your last fencing lesson.

Look out for you head!

Why not stand your ground

and fight?

"He who fights

and runs away," remember?

I see, you want to let

the drawbridge down.

Well, well, I just killed one man

for trying that.

- An unarmed man, of course.

- Of course.

You English are a stubborn lot.

"England expects that every man,"

you know.

Your golden-haired goddess

will look well in black.

I'll console her for you,

kiss away her tears.

- What, no quotation?

- Yes. "A barking dog never bites. "

You'd be a sensation in a circus.

I can't understand it.

- Where did you learn such roller skating?

- The Coldstream Guards.

When does the fencing lesson start?

Stand still and fight, you coward!

Bad-tempered fellow, aren't you,

underneath the charm?

Why don't you let me kill you quiet?

Oh, a little noise adds a touch of cheer.

I'm getting you even closer

to the drawbridge rope.

You're so fond of rope, it's a pity

to have to finish you off with steel.

What do they teach you on the

playing fields of Eton? Puss-in-corners?

Chiefly, not throwing knives

at other people's backs.

Come on, men!

This is getting too hot for me.

Au revoir, play-actor!

The king!

Stand by in the courtyard!

The king?

The king lives.

You know, it seems a hundred years...

...since I struck you in the face.

Please forgive me...

...and be my guide,

as you were my father's.

Thank you, sire.

And now, we mustn't keep him waiting.

I've tried not to dishonor it, sire.

I can't talk much.

I wanted to keep you with me.

And tell everyone what you had done.

You would have been my best

and nearest friend, Cousin Rudolf.

But Zapt says the secret must be kept.

He's right. Let me go.

My work here is done.

Yes, it's done.

As no one but you could have done it.

I don't know when I'll see you again.

If I can ever serve you, sire...

You could never serve me better, cousin.

You've taught me how to be a king.

Is she here?

- Does she know everything?

- Everything.

What... What did she say?

Nothing.

She wants to see you.

Your Highness.

I sent for you to thank you...

...for the service you've done

this kingdom and its king.

No one can know better than I how

conscientiously you've played your role.

You even...

You're hurt! They didn't tell me.

My only hurt is the thought of the pain

I've caused you.

I love you. With my whole

heart and soul, I love you.

In all else I've been an impostor,

but not in that.

From the first moment I saw you

in the cathedral...

...you've been the only woman

in the world for me.

As I stand now,

I know there'll never be any other.

It would have made no difference

if I'd known.

It was always you and never the king.

Is it true

that you're going home to England?

Tonight.

Come with me. I won't give you up.

I won't let them stand in the way

of our happiness!

- Lf I could...

- There's a world outside. Our world.

And a throne for you,

a woman's throne, in my heart.

I want that.

And you will always love me?

Always, even as now?

Always, always.

Oh, my love, think. You'll be free.

Free of all these cares and duties...

...to live your own life,

as freely and joyously as...

What is it, Flavia?

I was born for those cares

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