# XII: I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook explained — The Prisoner of Zenda

> Chapter companion for The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope.

## What happens

Rassendyll and his party move to Count Stanislas von Tarlenheim's château near Zenda, ostensibly for boar hunting but actually to be close to the Castle of Zenda where the true king is imprisoned. Michael sends three of his Six—Lauengram, Krafstein, and Rupert Hentzau—to deliver a false excuse about scarlet fever. Rassendyll then rides to Zenda with Fritz, visits an inn, and enlists the help of a young woman (the innkeeper's daughter) to lure Johann, a servant at the castle, into a meeting. Sapt later reports that one of their men, Bernenstein, has been attacked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Rassendyll's men are carefully chosen for their loyalty, while Michael's embassy is a facade of loyalty masking treachery.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The boar hunt is a cover for the rescue mission; Michael's scarlet fever excuse is a lie; Rassendyll disguises himself at the inn.

### Power and Ambition

Michael's ambition drives him to imprison the king and scheme against Rassendyll, while Rassendyll maneuvers to outwit him.

## Character check-ins

### Rudolf Rassendyll

Leads the party to Tarlenheim château, receives Michael's embassy, and rides to Zenda to set a trap for Johann.

### Fritz von Tarlenheim

Accompanies Rassendyll to the inn in Zenda and assists in the plan.

### Colonel Sapt

Oversees the party at the château and warns Rassendyll about the attack on Bernenstein.

### Rupert Hentzau

Leads the embassy from Michael, delivering a mocking speech about scarlet fever.

### Black Michael

Sends his three Ruritanian gentlemen to the château with a false excuse.

### Johann

Mentioned as the servant at Zenda Castle who is being lured by the innkeeper's daughter.

### Krafstein

One of Michael's Six, part of the embassy to the château.

### Robert of Lauengram

One of Michael's Six, part of the embassy to the château.

## Key lines

> If my brother has scarlet fever, said I, he is nearer my complexion than he is wont to be, my lord. I trust he does not suffer?

Rassendyll jokes that Michael's scarlet fever would make him as red-haired as Rassendyll himself.

_Rassendyll uses wit to deflect Michael's insult and assert his own position._

> He hopes soon to find a medicine for it, sire.

Rupert Hentzau replies that Detchard seeks revenge as a cure for his injury.

_A thinly veiled threat from Michael's side._

> If a man must needs be a knave, I would have him a debonair knave, and I liked Rupert Hentzau better than his long-faced, close-eyed companions.

Rassendyll prefers a charming villain like Rupert over the grim ones.

_Reveals Rassendyll's appreciation for style even in enemies._

> Our little Delilah will bring our Samson.

Rassendyll compares the innkeeper's daughter to Delilah, who will lure Johann as Samson was lured.

_Biblical allusion to the plan to trap Johann through the girl's influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xii-i-receive-a-visitor-and-bait-a-hook
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters