The Sword Maker

ing than that portion of the Rhine near Coblentz, and as our little procession emerged from the valley of the Saynbach every member of it was

them westward until at last there was but scant room for the road between rock and water. Always they were in the shade, a comforting feature of a midsummer journey, an advantage, however, soon to be

d paying little attention to the horse he rode, which indeed, faithful animal, knew more about the way than did his rider. Still fa

or of dawn softened by the deep green of interspersed vineyards, and the water without a ripple, like a slumbering lake

f defeat. I had much rather see its flood disturbed by moving barges and the turmoil of commerce. It is a peace that means starvation an

l unmolested with a mere handful of men to guard us. Time was when a great and we

hbishop

however, is not limited by my own modesty, but stipulated by the Court of Archbishops. Mayence

orning, my Lord, and will not even

a position toward the end of life, and you from the charming stat

heless I am much disappointed with your attitude this

e attitude breat

ed a particular c

ve I ove

ogether, and the conference which is to follow. Despite deep anxiety to learn what is before me I have not asked you a

ntil such time as I could broach the subject occupying my mind ever since we left the Castle. W

, because I have guessed your secret, and

Archbishop, a shade of a

ess Matilda gave me a clue. You have discovered a docum

owed his head, b

ion to your proposed generosity, and put forward the argument that you are but temporary trustee of the Cologne Archbishopric; that you must guard the rights of your successor; and this truism could not help but appeal to that quality of equity which distinguishes you, so a conference of the prelates has bee

Archbishop pondering on the problem of he

inconvenience of giving a decision on any matter not concerning them. Linz's fate was settled when the handwriting of my predecessor, prelate of 1250 A.D., convinced me that this Rhine

, never accept

is long-postponed advice I wish to press upon your attention, must be given, for we are nearing the ferry to Coblentz, and between that t

ried the girl, "his

smiled, but wen

Mayence. Treves and I pretend not to be under his thumb, but we are: that is to say, Treves holds I am under his thumb, and I hold Treves is unde

you and Treves

s that Mayence is the iron man of the combination; therefore I beg you beware of him, and I also

my Lord, how

In fact, refrain wholly from objection if you can, and plead for time to consider, so that you and I may co

alarm me by the awesome

choice hangs

lomatic methods, I am anxious you should not be led into any semblance of dissent from his wishes. By agreement between Mayence, Treves, and myself, I am not allowed to enlighten you regarding the question at issue. I perhaps strain that agreement a little when I endeavor to put you on your guard. If, at any point in the disc

likely to

person perhaps over-cautious. Hence this wardin

the border of the Rhine, before we reach Stolzenfels. Do you thoroughly appro

a tone of conviction that none coul

ll tell his Lordship of Mayence, in my sweetest voice and mo

foot, gathered along the river-bank, raised a cheer as the Archbishop appeared. The Countess thought they waited to greet him, but they were merely travelers or market people who found their journey interrupted at this point. An emissary of the Archbishop had comm

hop had reason to congratulate himself upon his reception. The prelate bowed and smiled, but did not pause at Coblentz, and, to the evid

aid, "that Coblentz conta

it," replied t

country, and is the conclave of the Archbishops of

however, that those are no sightseers, for the general public is quite unaware tha

mean s

nsmen, but I dare say they all know where t

s broken his compact? I understood that your e

dship l

great strategist, yet I surmise he is ready in

uble coul

by having our plans prepared and acting upon them promptly. But the hours between the death of an Emperor and the appointment of

to confess that if they did

The present Count Palatine of the Rhine is, like my friend Treves, completely under the dominion of the Archbishop

that you assemble at Stolzenfel

is name will not be announced to any p

t one is the C

be merciful: I am but clay in your hands, yet there is certain information I am forbidden to impart, so I will merely say th

an exclamati

? Why shoul

re we will change the subject to one of paramount importance; namely, our midday meal. I intended to stop at Coblentz for that repast, b

ggested

rated for centuries. Next some tender venison from the forest behind Stolzenfels, which is noted for its deer. There are, beside, cakes and

so that I shall know what to prepare for

e castle's first guest. Stolzenfels was built by Arnold von Isenberg, the greatest Archbishop that ever ruled over Treves, if I may except Archbishop Baldwin, the fighter. Isenberg determined to have a stronghold on the Rhine midway between Mayence and Cologne, and he made it a palace as well as a

of John, King of England. Doubtless she came here with an imposing suite of attendants, and I surmise that the great prelate's castle

k better, and the Royal m

. He was Henry III., and of course much atten

thin the Castle, but now I shall view it with delight, wondering through which of the room

meet the thre

For what

rm, and upon the highest ecclesiastic

glish Princess, the daughter of one king and si

he Emperor, Frederi

nsta

his latest historical recital? True, he was a man who had given much study to ancient lore; rather fond of exhibiting his proficiency therein when he secured patient listeners. Could there be any secret meaning in his story of the English Princess who danced? Was there any hidden analogy between the journe

reves' men are

red and fif

o capture

ady in their poss

em to be

Castor, and can be in the hands of the soldiers within a fe

roops in Coblent

my

e been placed behind th

concealed in the for

s my Lord of May

half-dozen that reached Sto

u sure

ve gone up the river as far as Bingen, but everything is quiet, and it would have been impossible for his Lordship to march a co

yence depends on h

seem so,

ou; that

er the little procession came within sight of Stolzenfels, standing grandly on its conical hill

hear, had driven entirely from the mind of Hil

"we seem to be in the mid

hbishop

st of an assured p

eized, and three thousand of your

etreat to Cologne. They know it would be useless in a crisis for me to journey up the river, as I should then be getting farther and fa

e surely entrapped, wi

command three thousand me

t means

persons of the two Archbishops. With their Lordships of Treves and Mayence in my custody, cut off from communication with thei

branching hill-road le

them, and conversation

before the afternoon g

poke so c