Rupert of Hentzau -- From the Memoirs of Fritz von Tarlenheim by Anthony Hope, Fiction, Classics 12+

📓 Michael, having struck for the crown, had paid for the blow with his life. Princess was her cousin's wife, that story was in safe keeping, and Mr. Rassendyll's face seen no more in Ruritania. Should there not then be an end? So said I to my friend the Constable of Zenda. He responded: "Is Rupert of Hentzau dead? I had not heard it." Rupert by himself could hardly have troubled our repose. He dares not set his foot in the kingdom. We kept firm hold on Master Rupert's revenues, and as good watch as we could on his movements. Yet Sapt was in the right about him. Helpless as he seemed, he did not for an instant abandon the contest; if we watched him, he kept his eye on us. In time he began to gather instruments round him and organized a system of espionage. . . . And thus the Kingdom of Ruritania became a tale anew. Before the tale was over, we had all our fill of adventure -- and more.