Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda

Mr. Hany
Chapter 1 By. Mr Hani
 Rose is blaming Rudolf for doing nothing useful in his life :
- His defence :
He shouln't do anything because he has enough money to do any thing he wants.
He enjoys an important position in society because he's a member of the Rassendyll family
and his brother's Lord Burlesdon. ( Robert )

 Rose is blaming Rudolf for being lazy :

- His defence :
- He had not been lazy all his life : as
 He had studied hard when he was at a German school and university.
 He spoke 1German - 2English - ( 3French, 4Italian and 5Spanish. )
 He was good with a gun and a strong swordsman.
 He was also very good at riding a horse.
 Rose mentions the differences between Rudolf and Robert :
 Rudolf has red hair.
 Robert realises that his position in the society has resposibilities.
 Rudolf sees the opportunities in his position.
- His defence :
He said : To aman like him , opportunities are responsibilities
 Rose offers Rudolf a job :
- Sir Jacob Borrodaile 'll offer him a real opportunity.
- He's going to be an ambassador in six months' time, and wants Rodelph to work for him.
 Rudolf 's opinion of Rose :
and what made him accept the job :
- She has a way of asking people to do things which is impossible to refuse.
- He thought this job sounded quite interesting.

 There were still ( 6 ) months to go before the job would start :

 What He could do in this time :

- He decided to visit Ruritania , a small country in the middle of Europe.

 Why Ruritania :
 His family have had an interest in that country because in 1733 ,
Countess ( Amelia Rassendyll ) married a member of the Ruritanian royal family,the Elphbergs.
- red hair
 The apperance characterstics of the Elphbergs :
- straight noses.
 The importance of this shape :
- Rudolf is the latest one to have the appearance of the Ruritanian royal family ( Elphbergs ).
 His decision was helped when he read in The Times newspaper that Rudolf the 5th was to
become King of Ruritania in the next 3 weeks, and that amazing celebrations were planned
so He thought how fantastic it would be to see such an event.

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
 What did he tell his family he was going to visit ?
 He doesn't like to tell people where he go on his travels, so he told Rose that
 - He was going walking in the Alps.
and
- He was going to write a book about social problems in the country.

 Robert's opinion about writing books : Writing a book's the best way to get into
politics.

 Is Rudolf really going to write a book ?

- He had no plan to really write a book.
- But he is now, writing a book but the book isn't about the social problems in the Alps.
- He is writing a book about his " journey to Ruritania."

 Why did Rudolf visit Paris ?

that
- Because his Uncle ( William ) always said no man should ever pass through Paris
without spending 24 hours in the city.
- He booked a night at The Continental Hotel.
- He called on some old friends that he knew in Paris :
George Featherly worked at the embassy.
and
Bertram Bertrand a famous journalist in Paris.
1 - They ate in a restaurant
- That evening and
, 2 - They told him all about the latest exciting events in Paris.
3- They told him about ( important people visiting the city recently ) as
for
 Antoinette du Mauban - a lady who's well known her ( wealth and
ambition )
- beautiful, tall and fashionably dressed woman of about 30.
 Why did she come to Paris ?
- She was a guest of the - Duke of Strelsau , ( Michael )
said George. (e) - He's the half-brother to the King of Ruritania.
said Bertram ( j) - He was his father's favourite son.
He's gone back to Ruritania for the coronation,
although I don't think he'll enjoy it very much because
he probably wishes he were the king.
I don't think he likes being only a Duke."
"I hear he's a clever man, though,".
agreed George. " He's extremely clever "

 The next day, - George went with Rudolf to the station

He bought a ticket to his next stop, Dresden.
because
He did not tell George that he was going to Ruritania.
The news would have gone immediately to Bertram( j)
and then it would have been in all the newspapers within days.

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany

- George told him "You have an important person to travel with,"

"That's Antoinette du Mauban and she's also going to Dresden."
- The journey was long and boring .
- He wondered if he would see Antoinette du Mauban in the dinning car.
- He did not see the lady again until the following day, when both she and he got on the next
train from Dresden to Ruritania.

- A few hours later, the train arrived at the Ruritanian border where we stopped so the guards
could check our passports.
- He was surprised when the guards stared at him and his passport for some time before
letting me into the country.

Zenda , a small town ( 80 km ) from the capital, ( 10 km ) from the border.

 Why He stopped in Zenda not in Strelsau ?

- He bought a newspaper and read that the King's coronation was to be in 2 days' time,
which was much earlier than he had thought.
- The newspaper said the hotels in the capital city, Strelsau , were full with people who
wanted to see the event.
- there he could walk in the hills and see the town's famous castle
- then he could take the train for the day to Srelsau to see the coronation.

 At the inn in Zenda :

- He was welcomed by an old woman who ran it with her 2 daughters.
- she loved the Duke of Strelsau, Duke Michael.
because
- the hotel owner said she wished the Duke was the new King and not his brother.
- "We all know Duke Michael,".
- "He's always lived in Ruritania and he cares about the people, so people like him.
- As for the King, he's almost a stranger. He's been abroad for most of his life and not many
people even know what he looks like.

Now the King's staying in a hunting lodge in the forest, very near to Zenda. From there he'll
travel to the capital for his coronation."

Johann The duck's servant entered :

- When he saw Rodelf, he took off his hat and stepped back in surprise.
- "It's the red hair," "We don't often see it in our country unless you're part of the King's family,
the Elphbergs. Many of them have red hair." one of the daughters.

 The next morning :

- Johann heard that he was going to Strelsau, he said I could stay at his sister's house.
( She was married to a wealthy trader and she had invited him to stay with them for the
coronation, but he was unable to go.)
- Rudolf was very happy to have this opportunity and accepted his offer, so he said he would
contact his sister at once and tell her.

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Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
- Rudolf decided that he still wanted to see the forest where the King was staying,
so first he planned to walk for 16 km through the forest to the next station to catch a train
to the capital.
He did not tell Johann about this plan, as He did not think it would be important if he arrived
at his sister's later in the day.

 Half an hour later, he reached The Castle.

 - It was very old but well built, with a moat all around it.
- Behind it was a large modern mansion, used by the Duke of Strelsau as his country home.
- The mansion was reached by a wide road, but the old castle could only be reached by a
drawbridge between it and the mansion.
- He was pleased to see that the Duke had such a well-defended house, even if he were not to become King.

In the forest , he fell into sleep, he was dreaming about living in the Castle of Zenda
when a voice woke him :
- He saw 2 men who were working for the king of Ruritania.
- Both carried guns and were dressed for hunting.
- They were surprised because Rudolf looked like the king.

 Colonel Sapt  Fritz von Tarlenheim.

 Rudolf asked them if he really looked like the king :

Fritz said. "You could be twins,"
Sapt "Although you look like identical twins, you do not have identical personalities or
skills. You two seem very different. If you were an officer for the Queen's army,
Rassendyll, you must be good with a sword!".

 Rudolf "Is the King not a fighting man?"

Fritz said "The King likes to live well,". " he prefers eating to action, but he's a kind man "
"Perhaps we are alike then," I said, "because I like to have an easy life, too!"
 The king came :
- When Rudolf looked at him, he gave out a loud cry.
- The king stood back in amazement when he saw Rudolf.
- There was a centimetre or 2 difference in height.
but - they looked so alike that the King of Ruritania might have been, Rudolf Rassendyll,
and Rudolf, might have been the king.

his brother Lord Burlesdon. ( Robert )

his sister in law ( brother's
Rudolf Rassendyll Rose
wife )
his friends in Paris George (e) - Bertram ( j )

Elphbergs Rudolf the 5th - is about to be the king of Ruritania.

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
his brother ( Michael ) - Duke of Strelsau

Sir Jacob Borrodaile offers a job to Rudolf in an embassy

Johann The duck's servant
Colonel Sapt
two guards for the king.
Fritz
Chapter 2
 The differences between Rudolf and the king :
- The king's mouth was less wide.
- Rudolf 's face was a little thinner.

 Rodulf told the king that he was going to Strelsau to attend the
coronation :
- The king wandered what his brother " Duke Maichel " would say when he saw them together.
- Fritz said : " I don't think it would be a good idea for Mr Rassendyll to visit Strelsau now. "
- Colonel sapt " I agree. He mustn't go "
- Rudolf " Don't worry, sir. I understand the problem," " I'll leave Ruritania today. "

 The king : said that - Rudolf didn't need to leave immediately.

- and asked him to eat with him first.
because
he thought that he didn't meet a new cousin every day.
- Colonel Sapt advised the king to ( sleep early ) because they have an early start the next
day.
 The king 's openion :
1- good food is more important than sleep.
2- We don't need to get up so early.

 They reached a small wooden hunting lodge between the trees.

- The King's personal servant " Josef " came out to meet them.
- The other servant was the mother of Johann, ( the man who Rudolf met at the inn. )

 Their plan for the coronation :

1- Colonel sapt and Fretz have to leave at ( 6 ) tomorrow morning
2- They ride to Zenda and return with a guard of soldiers to take the King to the station.

 a table had been laid out with generous amounts of food.

- After walking Rudolf was hungry, so he ate a lot and the food was delicious.
but - Sapt and Fritz didn't want to eat too much because of the events the next day.

 After the meal :

 The servant ( Josef ) put some cakes and said :
"The Duke said I was to give you this at the end of your meal,"
- The king ate the cakes hungrily, as if they were the first thing he had eaten all day.
- Rudolf ate one of the cakes. and asked to go to bed. That is all he remember of that evening.
 The next thing he remember,

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
- He woke up suddenly covered in water.
- He looked up and saw Colonel Sapt and Fritz standing in front of him
- Rudolf Said "That wasn't funny," when he realised the Colonel had thrown water over me.
- Sapt explained "Nothing else would wake you up. It's five o'clock,".
They told Rudolf "you must come and look at this." ..

The King was lying on the floor. - his face was red .
- he was breathing heavily.
Fritz "We've been trying to wake him up for half an hour, but we can't,".
Rudolf felt his pulse, which was very ( weak and slow ).

 Fritz's conclusion : "It must've been those cakes that he ate last night !
Rudolf " Do you think he was poisoned? ".
Sapt. " We don't know," "We must get a doctor."
Fritz "There's no doctor for 15 km and even a thousand doctors won't make him better today,"
Rudolf " But what about the coronation? "
Fritz " We must tell the people of Ruritania that he's ill,".
Sapt "If he's not crowned today, I don't think he'll ever be King,".
Why
"The whole country's waiting for him today. Most of the army is waiting too,
with Duke Michael leading it. They won't be happy," .

Fritz's suggestion to solve the problem :

Fritz "We must tell everyone what's happened and make the most of it "

Sapt "Do you think that he was poisoned? "

Rudolf "Yes, I do," "Then who did it?"
Fritz "It must have been Duke Michael!".
Sapt "Yes, he did this so that his brother can't be crowned ". "You don't know what
the Duke is like. If Rudolf doesn't become King, Duke Michael will take the crown."

Sapt's suggestion to solve the problem :

"I have an idea ! It was lucky that we met you yesterday,"

"because you can go to Strelsau to be crowned!"

Rudolf " Me ? That's impossible ! ". "People would realise that I'm not the King !
And don't forget that I'm English! "
Fritz " It would be easy to forget that,", "because your German's perfect.
And if we dress you in different clothes, no one will know."
Sapt " If you don't go to Strelsau, Duke Michael will be King tonight, and the King will
either be dead or in prison,".
Rudolf " I understand what you're saying, but the King would never forgive me if I..."
Sapt " Our country needs this ! " cried Sapt.
Rudolf " Very well, I'll go."

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
Sapt " We won't wait for Michael's guards but leave for Strelsau at once,"
" We can hide the King in the cellar so when the guards arrive they'll think no one's here ".
Fritz " What if they search the building?".
Sapt " Josef will say the hunting lodge is empty,". "This is our only chance."

Rudolf " How will we get the King to Strelsau? "

Sapt 's plan :

 This night, they sleep in the palace.
 As soon as they are alone in the King's bedroom
( Sapt and Rassendyll ) will leave and go to the lodge .
 ( Fritz ) will stay and guard the King's bedroom in the palace.
 ( Josef ) will get the King ready for the journey back.
 ( The King ) will then return to the palace with Sapt in the dark.
 ( Rassendyll ) will ride to the border and leave the country before it's light.

Sapt " Do we all agree on this plan ? "

Fritz " It's a good plan "

 They started the plan :

 - ( Sapt & Fritz ) picked up the King and began to carry him out of the room .
- but they realised they were being watched by Johann's mother.
Sapt " I think she heard us,". "After we've moved the King, I'll speak to her."

Fritz " You know, I think we can do this."

Rudolf " What happened to Johann's mother ? "
Fritz "She's locked in the cellar with the King" Josef will let her out later, after Michael's
gone. But I'm sure, when they find that the King is not here, Michael will realise
we know about his plan."
Fritz " Is all safe here ? "
Sapt " No, nothing's safe anywhere, but we must do our best "

 ( Sapt told Rudolf ) the history of the King's life : of his family, likes, interests, weaknesses,
friends and servants. how he should behave in the palace and said he would always be at his
side to tell him who the people were that he met.

 When they reached Stralsu :

Sapt " How are you feeling ? ".
Rudolf " Nervous " I'm not made of stone, you know."
Sapt "You'll be fine. But we are an hour earlier than they expect, so there'll be no one
to meet us. We must send word to the palace. So meanwhile ... "

Rudolf " Meanwhile, I'll have some breakfast ! " " The King is hungry ! "
Sapt " Let's hope we're all alive tonight."

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 Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany
 The marks of celeprations Rodulf saw :
 As he ate breakfast, he could hear music and people cheering "God save the King ! " in
preparation for the coronation. Sapt " God save both Kings "

 a group of soldiers had arrived to welcome them :

- It was led by Marshal Strakencz a tall old man whose jacket was covered in medals.
a very important person in the army.
Sapt "That is Marshal Strakencz "
 Inside the capital city ( Stralsu )
- Rudolf began to ride through the capital with the Marshal on his right and Sapt on his left.
 The city
partly old and partly new.
The new part :
- There were wide, modem streets where the rich people lived in big houses.
- These were the people who had always lived well under the King's father,
and who would support the new King because they knew that nothing would change.
The old town :
- Thousands of people were crowded into tiny houses which were old and hot in the summer,
freezing cold in the winter.
- Many poor people lived in these narrow streets , and these people did not want things to stay
the same.
- For that reason, they did not like the King and supported Duke Michael
 Why they supported Duke Michael
- He told them : he wanted things to be different and gave them hope for a better future.

 What Rudolf realized from this comparison :

He knew that this area would not be very safe for him , ( as the King ).

 Rudolf noticed Antoinette de Mauban :

- On a balcony above him , was the proud smile of Antoinette de Mauban.
- As she stared at him , her expression changed.
- He thought she knew who he was. Surely she would call out, "That is not the real King ! "

Character's map ( ch. 2 )

Josef - The King's personal servant.

- a servant at the lodge house.
Johann's mother
Marshal Strakencz
- a very important person in the army.

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Al Walaa Notes : The Prizoner of Zenda
Mr. Hany