The Sword Maker

Although, he had remained outwardly calm when the attack was made upon him, his mind was greatly perturbed over the outlook. He reviewed his own conduct, wondering whether it would

n Ehrenfels Castle and the town of Wiesbaden, the route over which supplies had been carried to the Castle time and again when the periodical barges from Mayence failed to arrive. It had been pointed out t

y lessening. As the brook gradually subsided to its customary level, the forest became more and more silent. The greater his endeavor to sleep, the less dormant Roland felt, and all his senses seemed unduly quickened by this ineffectual beckoning to somnolence. He judged by the position of the stars, as he

arer, without disturbing his men, so crept rapidly up the hill. Presently he saw the glimmer of a light, and conjectured that some one was coming impetuously down, guided by a lanthorn swinging in his hand. Roland stood

were the first wo

I wish, not gear. Why are you speeding through the forest at

aylight," said the stra

e greatest importance. D

of State; Imperial matt

ankfort in time,

ng the point of his sword, for he saw the

s those of the highest, and I am pledged to se

r face corresponds with it. Ha, that is most satisfactory! And now, my hurrying youth, w

en," gasped the young man, shri

d lau

not impale you, but will instead relate to you the

e my oath does not allow me to do your bidding, even though

hsenhausen, and he whom you seek is a youth of about your own age, named Roland. You travel on the behest of you

the youth, aghast, "how

and laugh

forget old friends. Hold up your lanthorn again, and lea

praised! Pr

k the fortune that kept me awake this night. Do you kno

ent for you to sign, and you are informed that the day after to-morrow their Lordships of M

ou found me in Sachsenhausen we had

horse that could be found. My father told me to time myself, and if by securing another horse at Frankfort for you I could not make the return

t have deluded me when y

order for plenty upon a merchant in Wiesbad

test of all. Sit you down and rest until I return. Make no noise, for there are twenty others asleep by the stream. My cloak is a

nded. Cautiously he fastened it to the belt of Greusel, then, snatching his cloak from

s, and they found little difficulty in rousing Heinrich's fa

g his arms around

. "Never before have I felt my head so insecure upon my shoulders. Had you not been

ich would have effected my signature excellently, and answered to their satisfaction all questions they might ask. So long as he complied with their wishes, there would be no inquir

Besides, it would be a matter of high treason to forge your signature, so again I

is not so seriou

tage of his position as prisoner. He knows I dare refuse him nothing, and he ca

dgel the nonsense out of him

e told you, for he holds us both in his grasp, and he knows it. If I called

time, and after that we will reform him. He was frightened enough of my sword

you must have been on your way to Ehrenf

t of impinging himself upon my sword in his hurry. I stood in the darkness, while he hims

t he was safer than otherwise. But you are surely hungry, H

ubling to undress, flung himself upon a couch, sleeping dreamlessly through the time that

ering what had become of him. He called the custodian, and asked for a sight of the parchments that his Lordship of Mayence had sent acros

es were impressed upon him when he had read the scroll: first, the Archbishops were determined to rule; and second, if he did not promise to obey they would elect some other than himself Emperor on the death or deposition of his father. The youn

onderful view up and down the river and along the opposite shore. From this elevated, paved plateau he could see down the river the strongholds of Rheinstein and Falkenberg, and up the river almost as far as Mayence. He judged by the altitude of the sun that it was about

s about signing the parchments. He feared the heedless impetuosity and conceit of youth; the natural dislike on the part of a proud young prince to be restricted and bound

ust attach my signature to those instrument

a cry of astonishment

es low in the water. It is one of the largest of the Frankfort boats, and those hopeful simpletons doubtless imagine they can make their way through to Cologne with enough goods left to pay for the journey. 'Tis madness

wondered whether or not Greusel had brought them across the hills to Assmannshausen. Had they yet discovered that Joseph carried the bag of gold? He laughed aloud as he thought of the scrimmage that would ensue when this knowledge came to them. But little as he cared for the eighteen, he expe

e said abruptly

ndred thalers paid

ety," was

ne hundred thalers altogethe

, Prince Roland. If I have been of service I am quite content to wait fo

beg of you to lend me a thousand, for I possess not a single gold piece in my bag. Indeed, if it comes to

Before this happened, however, Roland, watching the barge, saw it round to, and tie up at the shore s

thout more ado, this extraordinary captive left his pris

e, Roland talked with the captain on the barge, he saw approaching from Assmannshausen two men whom he recognized. Telling the captain he might not be ready for several days, he walked along the shore to meet his

rd stood still unti

Are you here alone, or have

a sentence, "allowed the men to think they were having their own way, but in reality diverted the

is but as a drop of wa

ered you hold th

by and by. I suppose you went down the valley of the

oland. "What else did

, but I feared you would turn

met difficulty enough navigating the shallow Main, and I think

h other without reply

man asks us to go one league with him, we should go two. My good friends of the guild last night made a most reasonable request, n

y you look upon it,

eachings of my young days by giving each of the men ten times the amo

f that isn't setting a premium on

of view. I had led them ruthlessly under a burning July sun, along a rough and shadeless road, then dragged them away from the ample wine-vaults of Sonnenberg; next guided them on through brambles, over streams, into bogs and out again; and lastly, when they were dog-tired, hungry and ill-tempered, I careles

t at least to be thankf

to one was

. Why should I be thankful, except that I escaped

laughed

self as all that, you n

sword? There would have been a woeful surprise for the eighteen had they ventured another step farther. However, that's all past and done

the grass, and poured

ndred and thirty thalers, Greusel, and yours, Ebearhard. You will find remaining five hundred and forty,

shausen, that you may give this money

en Anker. Thus you will be the better able to keep the men from talking with strangers, and so prevent any news of our intentions drifting across the river to Rheinstein or Falkenberg. You might put it to them, should they object to the special room, that you are reconstituting, as it were, the Kaiser cellar of Frankfort in the village of Assmannshausen. Go forward, therefore,

k hands, and returned

*

per, no one of them obtaining precedence over the other two. On entering the Castle of Ehrenfels in state, they proceeded to the large hall of the knights, and seated themselves in three equal chairs that were set along the solid table. Here a repast was spread before them, accompanied by the finest

e, as the oldest of the trio, occupied the middle chair; Treves, the next in age, at his right hand, and Cologne at his left. A keen observer might have noticed that the deferential

ce who broke

e to the throne, should be withdrawn from the capital to the greater safety which this house affords. I hope

ips," said Roland,

clined their heads, a

nvenience during your residence in my Castle of Ehrenfels, but if you find ca

fact that you have received no such protest from me answers your question, but I should like to add e

o hear the expression that has fallen from your lips. There was sent for

igh position you propose, I should have consulted your Lordships on every matter that I deemed important enough to be worthy

whispered conversation among th

sfaction. In the whole world to-day there is no prouder honor than that which it is in the Electors' power to bestow upon you, and it is a bless

on was carried on in the most subdued and gentle tones, hurried forward, and Mayence requested him to produce the documents entrusted to his

rd a chair, and then requested the young man to seat himself. Roland had supposed the ceremonies at an end, but it was soon evident that something further remained, for the three venerable heads were again in juxtaposition,

of the town and its ways from personal observation. You are a young man who, I may say, has greatly commended himself to us all, and so i

eath, and some of the

that calls for so ominous a prelude? It must be something more th

he merely incl

und youth, especially when highly placed. I am told that Frankfort is a gay city, and doubtless you have mixed, to so

e have hitherto been somewhat limited. Greatly absorbed in study, ther

uture clear of complications that might otherwise cause you embarrassment." Here the Archbishop smiled again, and R

at you were about to treat of some serious subject. So far as women

stern lips of Mayence relaxing at the young man's confident assum

ve found some difficulty in setting forth. It is this. The choice of an Empress is one of the most momentous questions that an Emperor is called upon to decide. In all except

tedly,

cations; a lady highly born, deeply religious, enormously wealthy, and exceedingly beautiful. She is related to the most noble in the land. I refer to Hildegu

of relief on learning that his fears were so unfounded. "I shall be most hap

o his feet and speaking with great solemnity, "y