The King's Game

Summary

In a tapestry woven with regal transgression and geopolitical intrigue, 'The King's Game' unfurls a saga born from the lascivious desires of the old Grand Duke of Kiev. His covetous gaze upon the wife of Count Dardinilis, his esteemed Huzzar colonel, precipitates a clandestine plot for her acquisition. This nefarious scheme tragically culminates in her accidental demise by the Grand Duke's Cossacks, forcing Dardinilis into a desperate flight across the Atlantic with his infant daughter, seeking refuge in the nascent American republic. Years later, the orphaned young Grand Duke embarks on his own transatlantic journey, destined for an American education. Simultaneously, a cabal of Nihilists dispatches the enigmatic Perelley to assassinate the noble scion. However, the ever-vigilant Secret Service, privy to the assassins' machinations, intervenes, apprehending Perelley. In a daring gambit, they outfit Perelley in the Grand Duke's regalia, chaining him within a carriage to serve as a decoy. The true Grand Duke, bearing an uncanny resemblance to his would-be assassin, stumbles upon the Nihilists' clandestine rendezvous. Goaded by the conspirators, and mistaking the carriage occupant for an imposter, he hurls a box of confections at his unsuspecting doppelgänger. To ensure the Nihilists' eventual capture, the Grand Duke infiltrates their ranks, accompanying them into the countryside. A twist of fate sees Perelley escape, his sudden appearance at the rendezvous demanding an urgent explanation from the Grand Duke. Amidst the chaos, the Grand Duke, with crucial assistance from Dardinilis' now-grown daughter, makes a narrow escape. Their subsequent apprehension by law enforcement leads to an astonishing, lenient resolution from the young Duke, who, with magnanimity, declares the entire escapade a 'draw.' The narrative culminates in a surprising restoration of order and justice, as Count Dardinilis is reinstated as the colonel of the formidable Black Huzzars, and his daughter ascends to the distinguished position of Duchess of Kiev, marrying the young Grand Duke and solidifying a new, hopeful dynastic future.

Synopsis

The story tells of the adventures of an unusual young duke, whose father, the old Grand Duke of Kiev, coveted the wife of Count Dardinilis, his colonel of Huzzars; of the old Grand Duke's plot to get her for himself; of her accidental death at the hands of his Cossacks, and of the colonel's escape with his little daughter to America. The young Grand Duke, now an orphan, comes to America to complete his education. The Nihilists send Perelley to kill him, but he is apprehended by the Secret Service, who know the details of the plot. They dress the man in the Grand Duke's clothes and chain him to a carriage, and thus he rides as the nobleman. The Grand Duke, closely resembling Perelley, comes upon their rendezvous and goaded on by the nihilists, throws a box of bonbons at his double, unwillingly riding in the carriage. To make sure of their capture at the opportune time, the Grand Duke goes with them into the country. Perelley escapes from the carriage, and his presence at the rendezvous makes it very necessary that the Grand Duke explain. He escapes, unharmed, with the aid of Dardinilis' daughter. When they are captured by the police the very lenient young Duke calls it a draw and lets it go. Count Dardinilis becomes colonel of the Black Huzzars and his daughter becomes the Duchess of Kiev.