Original subtitles

Thank you.

There's something down there.

What is it?

Pray heaven it's his majesty.

My God.

The king.

But surely they would simply leave him here as they did poor Joseph.

Why should they bother to move his body?

They took him, lad.

But they haven't killed him. I'd wager my life on that.

Then where is he?

Zender.

Where else would that dog Michael hide him? But he may be murdered while we sit

here. You must go back.

Steady, Lord.

Steady.

Sit down.

The king will be in his capital again today.

I wish I could feel as cool about it.

The crowned king.

You're mad.

Do you not see, lad?

Michael can't kill the king as long as you stay in Ruritania. He can kill me.

But he can't denounce you without denouncing himself. How can he say this

the king? The real king is a prisoner in my castle.

But he now knows that I'm an imposter.

Of course he does.

But unless he produces the real king, what can he do?

And if he does produce the king, how does he explain your presence?

We have him, lad.

We have him.

Go back?

No, you're asking too much.

You must.

Suppose they do kill the king.

They'll certainly kill him if you don't go back.

It's my belief the king is safe as long as you stay to keep his throne warm.

But for how long?

Until we've freed the prisoner of Zender.

What do they want?

Grave diggers.

What?

Grave diggers?

Come to hide the evidence of their black work. Come. They'll see the horses.

We should take a strap at them.

Colonel, out of the question. Here. I won't leave without striking a blow for

Joseph.

Well, you've been a good boy.

We'll give poor Joseph some company.

Revolver ready?

Cold steel for me.

It's only a scratch.

Well, it aches like the devil.

Well, little Joseph will have some company after all.

There.

Now, for Black Michael.

Now, all in good time.

First, we must get back to Stroll's Hobby before you're missed.

You're wounded, Father.

It's nothing, Fred.

You!

Where's the king? Is he dead?

Freyla. Who? Freyla!

He's called twice already this morning.

What in the...

Mr. Fraylor.

Yes, Mr. Fraylor.

I beg your pardon, Colonel, but Her Royal Highness has sent me especially to

inquire how the King's health is after the fatigues His Majesty underwent

yesterday.

You may tell the Princess Flavia that the King has slept all night without a

break.

Thank you, Colonel.

Your Majesty.

My best thanks, Mr. Froehler, to my cousin.

Please tell Her Royal Highness that I never felt better in my life and that I

intend to call on her this afternoon.

Your Majesty.

When did I last eat?

Not for a week. judging from that performance.

The king always take white wine to his breakfast.

Always. And he detests highly seasoned dishes.

Have you finished?

We can turn that bullet wound to good account.

It should prevent you from having to sign anything.

If anybody asks, you've caught your finger in a door.

What would I have to sign?

Less than an hour, the Chancellor will be here with certain papers which

your signature.

Simply make a mark and allow him to attest it in any way he wishes.

I imagine there must be a precedent, but knowing that old fool, he's bound to

make a great to -do about it.

Then later in the morning, the French ambassador will present his credentials.

On that occasion, your ignorance won't matter.

The King himself would be equally raw to the business.

And this afternoon, I'm to meet the Princess again.

You can expect to work your way through the whole corps diplomatique within the

next few days. My God, man, when are we going to lay Michael by the heels? What

about the king?

Are we to sit here for days and do nothing? We're to do nothing stupid.

And keep your voice down.

We'll let Michael make the first move.

We don't know for certain, but it's my guess the king is still in Zender with

Henshaw and Degote to guard him.

If he were dead, those two blackguards would be back here with Michael.

How many of these blackguards does Michael have?

Six. They belong to him, body and soul. They'd all cut her throat if Michael

told them to.

Perhaps they'll cut mine.

Nothing more likely, Mr. Rassendale.

Well, have you checked it?

All four have made plans to leave Streltsow tomorrow.

Bertinan, Deschardes, Lohengram and Krashteyn. Michael travels to Zender

them and possibly the Frenchwoman de Mauborgne.

She follows him like a cold draft.

And hence I'll follow you. He's back in the capital.

Indeed.

Prefect is still in the palace if you wish to question him. Before you go,

there's something you should know.

I travelled from Dresden with that Frenchwoman. She knows me, knows my

You travelled with her? On the same train. The closest we came to meeting

the custom house at Zender.

I think she recognised me in the cathedral.

In fact, I'm certain of it.

In that case, she'll undoubtedly tell Michael.

But since she already knows you're an imposter, it matters little that he now

also knows your name.

Prepare him for the Chancellor.

It's our common court knowledge that Madame de Maubon is infatuated with

Michael. Poor woman.

Has been for years. He, of course, cares only for Flavia and the throne.

If the king were to... If he were not restored, what will happen to Flavia?

Michael, as heir, will take the throne and she will marry him.

That much is ordained.

She has no choice, Rudolph, and would expect none.

What is this about the British ambassador?

Just as you read it, Colonel.

A young Englishman, a man of some position, has been reported missing.

The ambassador is naturally very concerned.

Reported by whom?

By an acquaintance of his at the hotel in Vendor, and Mr Smithers, a fellow

countryman. Also by the landlord.

The name Rathendale was found on his lunch.

I see.

Well, the man probably got drunk and found somewhere to sleep it off. I

he'll appear tomorrow. Do your best to reassure the ambassador.

Yes, it means little, I'm sure, but the gentleman in question arrived in

Ruritania on the same evening as Madame de Mauport.

Her movements are being watched closely, of course, according to your

instructions. And naturally, the Good Lady stays very close to the Duke.

You're an acute fellow, Prefect.

Thank you, Colonel.

Very frank in your bulletins.

Almost recklessly, sir. It would be foolish to supply the King with a daily

report that made no mention of the feelings of the common people. I take it

you were referring to my remarks about His Majesty having failed to pay court

the Princess Flavia.

You go too far, sir. The people were very disappointed that no announcement

issued from the palace.

Yesterday. Even in the court, they're beginning to couple the princess's name

with the Duke Michael.

He'll gain much popularity from the suggestion.

Damn the people and damn Michael.

Preparations are already made for the marriage, and you can cause that

announcement to be widely diffused. The effect should be excellent. Might I ask

how his majesty has, in fact, formally made his offer to princess?

He makes it this afternoon.

Great pilot.

Put up a fight. He died without a word.

The woman must have been gagged for several hours before she was released.

She hasn't stopped screaming since.

I'd rather have put my knife in her.

And there was nothing at the lodge. No clues to this imposter's identity.

Only the charred remains of what I took to be his clothes.

However...

These were found in a clearing not far from the lodge.

This means nothing. They could belong to any huntsman or rambler. They belong to

a young Englishman who vanished from his hotel in Zender the day before

yesterday. The local police were informed of his disappearance. His name

Rudolf Rathendil.

The man's an elfberg, Your Majesty.

Hence the uncanny resemblance.

So, our play actor has a name.

I feel sure, henceforth, that you're anxious to have the honour of being

formally introduced to Mr. Rassendale.

There's nothing I'd enjoy more than formally introducing him to the end of

sword.

But not even an Englishman would be foolish enough to accept an invitation

an enemy.

From a lady, perhaps.

Don't waste your time.

She's only got eyes for the Duke, and he's a jealous brute.

Send a man to the inn at Zander. They must be reassured about Rassenville's

absence. I want the police kept out of this.

Tell them... Tell the landlord you met some friends in the capital, decided to

stay with them.

Should I have his luggage brought here?

No, have it removed from the inn at Zander and stored at the station.

How much longer must he have to preen his feathers for the lady?

Is this visit wise?

Perhaps not.

But it's necessary.

We shall have to leave them alone together.

The more rapidly this courtship is brought to a prosperous conclusion, the

stronger we stand against Michael.

I imagine he's made pretty speeches to a girl before now. In the morning, I'll

send a semi -official to the papers.

What? Oh, nothing precise. Just hinting at a royal wedding sometime before

Christmas. Tomorrow, King Rudolf will face all Raritania as the accepted, as

only suitor of the Princess Flavia.

You don't seriously expect him to propose to her, do you? Even on the

behalf?

Human nature, Fritz. We'll say nothing to Rassendil. No orders. No

I think it very likely that Flavia's beauty will carry him further than all

arguments. You saw the way he reacted to her yesterday.

At last.

Hang it, Colonel. They're not pawns in some game.

That's exactly what they are.

already has a garden. Love claims his share.

Your man.

Oh, scratch, nothing more.

Princess or no princess, you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen.

Well, you are gaining golden laurels.

My first royal nosegay.

Or did the Chancellor instruct you to bring it?

My brother Michael is here, I understand.

Yes. He waits in the ante -room. I'm told he pays you a visit every day when

he's in Strasbourg.

He is almost tirelessly persistent. Some people say you are pleased to receive

him. Then some people are very insolent.

So does Michael write to you when he's away?

No.

And I call him the Duke of Strathairn, not Michael. Surely you call him Michael

when you meet him. Only by the orders of your father.

Are there your orders, too?

Decidedly, we must all be pleasant to dear Michael.

Do you order me to receive his friends as well?

Bodyguards, you mean.

Flavia. I was unfair.

The rose is beautiful.

I order you to see no one you do not wish to see.

Except myself, of course.

I have your majesty come on. Oh, please.

I beg you, call me nothing but my name, not sire or your majesty, just Rudolph.

How changed you are.

You're like the prince in Shakespeare who was transformed by becoming a king.

More like the fairy tale frog turned into a prince by a king.

I believe even your face has changed.

Rudolph, are you wise to make Michael angry? How am I making him angry? By

keeping him waiting, of course.

You know he can't be announced while I'm with you.

Oh, yes, of course. I'd forgotten. I never could remember all these silly

of etiquette. Do you wish him to come in?

No, but I think it would be for the best.

He has such a terrible temper. I must be worried about Michael now.

It's you I worry about.

I am your most loyal servant.

And loving.

Good afternoon, Captain.

Michael, my dear brother, I had no idea you were waiting.

Your Majesty.

I must congratulate you on the magnificent condition of your regiment

yesterday's expenditure.

The men are devoted to your Majesty. They follow your example, I'm sure. Your

hand is hurt, sir.

Nothing serious, I trust.

Mongrel dogs have such unfettered tempers. A dog?

But is there no danger from the bite? None from this.

I hope the animal's been destroyed.

Not yet, but if he should try to bite me again, he'll be knocked very hard on

the head.

If Your Majesty will forgive me, I must take my leave.

Your Majesty.

Your Royal Highness.

Rudolf, be careful, won't you?

What? You know I can't say.

But think what your life means to Ruritania.

Only to Ruritania.

And to your friends.

Friends.

And to your cousins.

And loving servants.

He was upset enough to be kept waiting. So comparing him to a mad dog didn't

improve our relationship one bit. Mad dog, that's rich.

I think it was foolish to anger him deliberately.

Fritz, it was worth it for the look on his face.

And the love affair.

Damien's up.

Have you noticed wherever we've been this afternoon, we've been followed by

men? One's small and bearded, the other tall and clean -shaven.

My men.

My dear Rathendale, it wouldn't exactly be inconvenient for Michael if you were

to disappear.

I can take care of myself.

It's for you.

A woman's hand, I think.

If the

king desires to know what it deeply concerns him to know, let him do as this

letter bids him.

At the end of the new avenue, there stands a villa in large grounds.

At 12 o 'clock tonight, if the king enters the garden of this villa, he will

find someone waiting in the summer house who will tell him what touches most

deeply his life and his throne.

He must come alone.

If he neglects this invitation, his life will be in danger.

Michael dictates a very pretty letter. Does he take me for a fool?

There's more on the back.

Ask Colonel Zapt.

What woman would do most to prevent the Duke from marrying the Princess?

Ask if her name begins with A.

Antoinette de Maubeau. Must be. Do well.

I shall keep that rendezvous.

You'll do nothing of the kind. It's a blatant trap. It's too blatant. It's too

obvious. I believe that woman wants to help. I believe no woman.

She's jealous of Flavia. She admits as much.

You will not stir from this palace tonight.

For God's sake.

You must start to play high.

We must force the game. Every hour I masquerade like this adds to the danger.

We're playing against time.

I simply said you should not go.

I'll go in your place.

No, Zapt.

Either I keep that rendezvous alone tonight, or I go back to England.

Soviet.

They won't be expecting the victims early arrival.

It's locked.

It won't be a pleasure.

It's been empty for years.

Thank you.

Thank you.