The Prisoner of Zenda Mr.

Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

Chapter 9
A New Use for a Tea-table
➢ Several days passed. Rassendyll’s secret was still kept, though he had
some bad moments and made some mistakes.
➢ Rassendyll escaped discovery, though, and he thought the reason was
the daring of the plan (the audacity of the enterprise).
➢ Rassendyll believed that because of his identical appearance to the of
the real King, it was far easier to pretend to be King of Ruritania than it
would have been to impersonate his next-door neighbour.

• News & Evidence that the King is in the Castle of Zenda:

- Sapt told Rassendyll that he thought that the King was in the Castle of
Zenda because 1) the three Ruritanians —Lauengram, Krafstein, and
young Rupert Hentzau —were all there, and 2) the drawbridge was
kept up, and no one went in without an order from young Hentzau or
Black Michael himself.
▪ It is dangerous to precipitate to rescue the King without good
planning:
- Fritz wanted Rassendyll to march to the Castle and fight Michael, but
Sapt thought that if they did so, they wouldn’t even find the King’s body.
- Rassendyll said that he would go to Zenda and fight Michael and rescue
the King, but Sapt told him that he was mad and added that if Rassendyll
did so, he would stay in Zenda forever.
▪ Sapt tries to protect Rassendyll:
- Sapt noticed that Rassendyll was in sulky (in a bad temper) and asked
him about his love affair.
- But Rassendyll told him that wherever he went he was followed by by
half a dozen fellows. Sapt told him that he knew as he had had ordered
them to do so.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

- Sapt told him that he had sent them to protect him because it would be
very convenient to Michael if Rassendyll disappeared. He added that if
Rassendyll disappeared, their game would stop and Michael would
complete his conspiracy.
- Rassendyll told Sapt that he could take care of himself, but Sapt told him
that the three foreigners—De Gautet, Bersonin, and Detchard—were in
Strelsau, ready to cut Rassendyll’s throat.

• A letter from a woman:

- Sapt told Rassendyll that there was a letter for him. Sapt thought it was
from a woman as he thought the handwriting was a woman’s.
- Rassendyll opened it and read it aloud:
"If the King desires to know what it deeply concerns the King
to know, let him do as this letter bids him. At the end of the
New Avenue there stands a house in large grounds. The house
has a portico, with a statue of a nymph on it. A wall encloses
the garden; there is a gate in the wall at the back. At twelve
o'clock tonight, if the King enters alone by that gate, turns to
the right, and walks twenty yards, he will find a summerhouse,
approached by a flight of six steps. If he mounts and enters, he
will find someone who will tell him what touches most dearly
his life and his throne. This is written by a faithful friend. He
must be alone. If he neglects the invitation his life will be in
danger. Let him show this to no one, or he will ruin a woman
who loves him: Black Michael does not pardon."
- On the other side of the letter the following was written:
"Hallo! there's some more."
"If you hesitate, consult Colonel Sapt—"
"Ask him what woman would do most to prevent the duke
from marrying his cousin, and therefore most to prevent him
becoming king? And ask if her name begins with—A?"
- Rassendyll and Sapt concluded that it was Antoinette de Mauban.
- Sapt told Rassendyll that she had a row with Michael, but he thought
that it was Michael who had written the letter to trap Rassendyll.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

- Rassendyll thought that if she had a row with Michael, she could be
useful.
- Both Sapt and Rassendyll believed that Michael wrote the letter.
- Rassendyll told Sapt that he believed in that woman and he would go,
but Sapt told him he didn’t believe in any woman and Rassendyll
wouldn’ go. ‫سورى يا بنات ههههههههههه‬
- Rassendyll threatened that he would go either to the summer house or
back to England.
- Rassendyll to Sapt that they were playing against time and added that
every day they left the King where he was, there was fresh risk, so they
mustn’t be late.
- Sapt began to know exactly how far he could lead or drive, and when he
must follow. So, he agreed with a sigh. ‫من هنا ورايح راسندل هيقود يا شباب‬
▪ To the summer house to cut the story short:
- At half-past eleven that night Sapt and Rassendyll mounted their horses.
Fritz was again left on guard, their destination not being revealed to
him. ‫يالهوى ع السرية اللى فى القصة دى يا شباب‬
- It was a very dark night. Rassendyll wore no sword, but he carried a
revolver, a long knife, and a bull's-eye lantern. ‫االستحياط واجب بردو‬
- They arrived outside the gate, dismounted, and Rassendyll to Sapt to
stay where he was and not try to get in whatever happened as it was the
King’s only chance. Rassendyll thought if he himself was dead, Sapt
should be alive to rescue the King.
- Rassendyll followed Antoinette de Mauban’s directions— which she
gave him in the letter—through the garden until he reached the summer
house.
- Reaching the summer house, he pushed the door open and went in.
- A woman flew to him, seized his hand, and told him to shut the door.
- When he turned the light of his lantern on her, he saw her dark striking
beauty. ‫ مالك يابو كف رقيق وصغير ههههههه‬.. ‫ ايه ياعم‬.. ‫ايه ياعم راسندل‬
- The summer-house was a bare little room, furnished only with a couple
of chairs and a small iron table, such as one sees in a tea garden or an
open-air café.
▪ Antoinette de Mauban cooperates with Rassendyll:
- Antoinette de Mauban asked Rassendyll not to talk as they had no time.
She told him that she had written that letter at the duke's orders.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

She told him that in twenty minutes three men would be there to kill
him. She added that he must be gone by then or he would be killed.

- The following is Michael’s plan as she revealed it to Rassendyll:

Micalel’s Plan to get rid of Rassendyll:

1) Michael asked Antoinette de Mauban to send a letter to Rassendyll,

asking him to come alone to the summer house to meet her for an
important matter. (A TRAP)
2) Three of Michael’s men (the foreigners) would come to the summer
house and kill Rassendyll.
3) Rassendyll’s body would be thrown in one of the streets of Zenda.
4) Michael would at once arrest all Rassendyll’s friends_ Colonel Sapt
and Captain von Tarlenheim.
5) Michael would proclaim a state of siege in Strelsau.
6) Michael would send a messenger to Zenda, ordering the other
three_the Ruritanians_ to kill the King.
7) Michael would either proclaim himself King or proclaim Flavia
Queen.
8) Anyway, he would marry Flavia and become King.
▪ De Muban’s reasons for cooperating with Rassendyll:
1) Maybe because she was a Christian.
2) Maybe because she was jealous; she wouldn’t let Michael marry
Princess Flavia. She knew well that if Michael’s plans succeeded, he
would marry the princess, so she decided to cooperate with Rassendyll
and spoil Michael’s plans.
▪ De Mauban warns Rassendyll:
She told him that three of Michael’s men followed him and would kill
him at once if they found him alone.
▪ De Mauban shows Rassendyll how to leave the summer house
without being seen by the gaurds:
She told him that the gate would be guarded by then. In order to
leave the summerhouse safely, he should go down softly,

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

go past the summer-house, on for a hundred yards, and he’ll

find a ladder against the wall, get over it, and fly for his life.

▪ De Mauban’s next plan:

She told Rassendyll:
1) She would tell Michael that Rassendyll hadn’t come to the summer
house because he (Rassendyll) might have known the trick.
2) If Michael found out what she had done (her cooperation with
Rassendyll), she wouldn’t meet Rassendyll again. If Michael didn’t
find out, they might meet again.
Rassendyll took her hand and kissed it.
She was going to tell him where exactly in the Castle the King was
kept, but the three men arrived outside the summerhouse.
Rassendyll saw them through a chink in the door.
▪ An offer for Rassendyll (a bribe):
- Detchard talked to Rassendyll from behind the door, addressing him by
his name (Rassendyll).
- He told Rassendyll that they had an offer for him. Rassendyll told him
that they can talk through the door because he would not open it.
- Detchard asked Rassendyll to promise not to fire while they were
talking, and Rassendyll promised.
- Antoinette de Mauban warned Rassendyll more than once not to trust
them.
- Through the chink of the door, Rassendyll saw the three pointing their
revolvers at the door.
- Detchard offered Rassend fifty thousand English pounds if Rassendyll
agreed to leave Ruritania and return to England.
- Antoinette de Mauban warned Rassendyll again not trust them.
▪ A new use for a tea-table:
- Rassendyll understood that they offered him the bribe to rush him as
soon as he was engaged in the talk. So,
- Rassendyll told them to him a minute to consider. Then, he asked
Antoinette de Mauban stand up close to the wall, out of the line of fire
from the door.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

- Rassendyll took up the little iron table and held it by the legs. He wanted
to use it as a shield if they fired. ‫حالوتك يابو الراساديل‬
- He and put his revolver in a handy pocket.
- He drew back as far as he could from the door, holding the table.
- Then he told them that he accepted their offer and asked them to open
the door.
- When Detchard opened the door, Rassendyll rushed out of the summer
house through the door, holding the iron table in front of him.
- Three shots were fired by the three men, but the iron table protected
Rassendyll.
- Rassendyll then rushed towards the three men and hit them with the
table.
- Rassendyll, the three men, and the brave table rolled down the steps of
the summerhouse to the ground below.
- Rassendyll I rose to his feet, laughing aloud.
- The three men were lying on the ground.
- Detchard was under the table, he pushed it from him and fired again.
- Rassendyll ran, followed by Detchard.
- Turning round, Rassendyll fired again for luck. Detchard stopped.
Rassendyll knew later that Detchard was injured.
- Following Antoinette de Mauban’s directions, Rassendyll was able to
leave the summerhouse safely.
- Rassendyll heard Sapt shooting as he was trying to open the door to
rescue Rassendyll when he heard the shots inside.
- On the way, Rassendyll told Sapt about the story of the tea table and
how he kept his promise not to fire until they did. ‫راجل ياض‬

• Questions:
1. What were the reasons for the success of the impersonation plan?
2. Why did Rassendyll think that it was easier for him to impersonate the
King more than it would have been to impersonate his next-door
neighbour?
3. What evidence was there that the King was in the Castle of Zenda?

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 9 Maadi STEM School

4. Why was it dangerous to precipitate to rescue the King without good

planning?
5. How and why did Sapt try to protect Rassendyll? What was Rassendyll’s
rection? What does that reveal about Rassendyll’s character? Give
another example that reveals such aspect in Rassendyll’s charcter.
6. Why did Antoinette de Mauban send a letter to Rassendy? What were
Rassendyll’s and Sapt’s reactions? What happened next?
7. Antoinette de Mauban’s letter was a turning point in the struggle
between Rassendyll and Michael. Explain.
8. Sapt knew exactly how far he could lead or drive, and when he must
follow. Discuss.
9. Secrecy played an important role in the Prisoner of Zenda. Discuss this
theme, showing to what extent it was conducted even between allies for
the good of the King.
10. Describe the summerhouse, showing how it was employed in the
story.
11. What was Michael’s plan to get rid of Rassendyll?
12. Michael couldn’t kill the King before getting rid of Rassendyll and
his friends. Discuss.
13. In the Prisoner of Zenda, Michael’s strongest allies let him down.
Comment, showing reasons.
14. Love and jealousy spoiled Michael’s plans. Comment.
15. Why did Antoinette de Mauban decide to cooperate with
Rassendyll?
16. What did Antoinette de Mauban intend to do after meeting
Rassendyll in the summerhouse?
17. What did the three offer Rassendyll in the summerhouse? Was it a
serious offer? If it had been, do you think Rassendyll would have
accepted it? Why? Why not?
18. The story of the summerhouse revealed much about Rassendyll’s
Character. Discuss.
19. Describe a new use for a tea-table in the Prisoner of Zenda.
20. Rassendyll had a narrow escape in the summerhouse. Discuss.
21. Rassendyll always kept his promises, even with is enemies.
Comment.