THE
STRAND MAGAZINE
An Illustrated Monthly
Vol. 5, Issue. 27.
March 1893
Contents
A Game Of Chess.
Illustrated Interviews: XXI.--Mr. and Mrs. Kendal.
"Author! Author!"
Zig Zags at the Zoo: Conkavian.
Shafts from an Eastern Quiver IX.--Maw-Sayah: The Keeper of the Great Burman.
From Behind the Speaker's Chair III.
Portraits of Celebrities at Different Times of their Lives.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes XVI.--The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk.
Beauties.
Hands II.
Rosita.
The Queer Side of Things.
"By Heaven," cried Ruy Lopez, "the Duke shall finish hisGame!"(A Game of Chess.)
From the French.
I.
King Phillip II. was playing at chess in the Escurial Palace. Hisopponent was Ruy Lopez, a humble priest, but a chess player of greatskill. Being the King's particular favourite, the great player waspermitted to kneel upon a brocaded cushion, whilst the courtiers groupedabout the King were forced to remain standing in constrained and painfulattitudes.
It was a magnificent morning. The air was perfumed with the orangegroves, and the violet curtains of the splendid hall hardly softened theburning rays which streamed in through the windows. The blaze of livinglight seemed scarcely in harmony with the King's gloomy countenance. Hisbrow was black as night, and from time to time he bent his eyesimpatiently upon the door. The nobles stood in silence, darting meaningglances at each other. It was easily to be discerned that some event ofgreat importance weighed upon the spirits of the assembly. No one paidany attention to the chess-board except Ruy Lopez, who, as he moved thepieces, hesitated between the temptation of checkmating his opponent andthe deference due to his King. The silence was unbroken except by thesound made by the players moving their pieces.
Suddenly the door opened, and a man of rude and savage aspect advancedinto the hall, and, presenting himself before the King, stood waitinghis commands to speak. This man's appearance was anything butprepossessing, and on his entrance th