The Sword Maker Read online

  II

  THE BARGAIN IS STRUCK

  Every epoch seems to have possessed a two-word phrase that contained, asit were, the condensed wisdom of the age, and was universally believedby the people. For instance, the aphorism "Know thyself" rose topopularity when cultured minds turned towards science. In the period towhich this recital belongs the adage "Blood tells" enjoyed universalacceptance. It was, in fact, that erroneous statement "The King can dono wrong" done up into tabloid form. From it, too, sprang thatdouble-worded maxim of the days of chivalry, "_Noblesse oblige_."

  In our own time, the two-worded phrase is "Money talks," and if diligentinquirers probe deeply into the matter, they will find that theaspirations of the people always correspond with reasonable accuracy tothe meaning of the phrase then in use. Nothing could be more excellent,for instance, than the proverb "Money talks" as representing twocommercial countries like America and England. In that short sentence ispacked the essence of many other wise and drastic sayings, as, forinstance, "The devil take the hindmost;" for, of course, if money talks,then the man without it must remain silent, and his place is at the tailof the procession, where the devil prowls about like a Cossack at therear of Napoleon's army.

  Confronting each other in that ancient house on the Fahrgasse, wewitness, then, the personification of the two phrases, ancient andmodern: blood represented by the standing lad, and money by the seatedmerchant.

  "I am Prince Roland, only son of the Emperor," the young man had said,and he saw at once by the expression on the face of his host that, couldhe be convinced of the truth of the assertion, the thousand thalers thatthe Prince had demanded would be his on the instant.

  For a full minute Roland thought he had succeeded, but as the surprisedied out of the merchant's countenance, there replaced it that mask ofcaution which had had so much to do with the building of his fortune.During their conference Herr Goebel cudgeled his brain, trying toremember where he had seen this young man before, but memory had roamedamong clerks, salesmen, and industrious people of that sort where,somehow, this young fellow did not fit in. When Roland suddenly sprungon him the incredible statement that he was a member of the Imperialfamily, the merchant's recollection then turned towards pageants he hadseen, in one of which this young stranger might very well have borne apart. Blood was beginning to tell.

  But now experience came to the merchant's aid. Only in romances didprinces of the blood royal wander about like troubadours. Even a memberof the lesser nobility did not call unheralded at the house of amerchant. The aristocracy always wanted money, it is true, "but whatthey thought they might require, they went and took," as witness thepiratical Barons of the Rhine, whose exactions brought misery on thegreat city of Frankfort.

  Then all at once came the clinching remembrance that when the Electorswere appealed to on behalf of the young Prince, the three Archbishopshad promptly seized his Royal Highness, and, in spite of the pleadingsof the Empress (the Emperor was drunk and indifferent) placed him in thecustody of the Archbishop nearest to Frankfort, the warrior prelate ofMayence, who imprisoned him in the strong fortress of Ehrenfels, fromwhich, well guarded and isolated as it was upon a crag over-hanging theRhine, no man could escape.

  "Will you kindly be seated again, sir," requested the merchant, and ifhe had spoken a short time before, he would have put the phrase "yourRoyal Highness" in the place of the word "sir."

  Roland, after a moment's hesitation, sat down. He saw that his coup hadfailed, because he was unable to back it up by proofs. His dramaticaction had been like a brilliant cavalry charge, for a momentsuccessful, but coming to naught because there was no solid infantry toturn the temporary confusion of the enemy into complete rout. Realizingthat the battle must be fought over again, the Prince sat back with asigh of disappointment, a shade of discontent on his handsome face.

  "I find myself in rather a quandary," proceeded the merchant. "If indeedyou are the Emperor's son, it is not for such as I to cross-examineyou."

  "Ask me any questions you like, sir. I shall answer them promptlyenough."

  "If I beg you to supply proof of the statement you make, you would belikely to reply that as you dared not enter your father's Palace, youare unable to furnish me with corroboration."

  "Sir, you put the case in better language than I could employ. In morehalting terms that is what I should have said."

  "When were you last in the Palace?"

  "About the same time, sir, that you took up your residence in prison."

  "Ah, yes; that naturally would be your answer. Now, my young friend, youhave shown me that you know nothing of mercantile practice; therefore itmay perhaps interest you if I explain some of our methods."

  "Herr Goebel, you may save your breath. Such a recital must not onlyfail to interest me, but will bore me extremely. I care nothing for yourmercantile procedure, and, to be quite plain with you, I despise yourtrade, and find some difficulty in repressing my contempt for those whopractice it."

  "If an emissary of mine," returned Goebel, unperturbed, "approached aclient or customer for the purpose of obtaining a favor, and used aslittle tact as you do, I should dismiss him."

  "I'm not asking any favors from you."

  "You wish me to hand over to you a thousand thalers, otherwise why cameyou here?"

  "I desire to bestow upon you the greatest of boons, namely to open upthe Rhine, and bring back prosperity to Frankfort, which you brainless,cowardly merchants have allowed to slip through your fingers, blamingnow the Barons, now the Emperor, now the Electors; censuring everybody,in fact, except the real culprits ... yourselves. You speak of the moneyas a favor, but it is merely an advance for a few weeks, and will bereturned to you; yet because I desire to confer this inestimable giftupon you and your city, you expect me to cringe to you, and flatter you,as if I were a member of your own sycophantic league. I refuse to doanything of the kind, and yet, by God, I'll have the money!"

  The merchant, for the first time during their conference, laughedheartily. The young man's face was aflame with anger, yet the truculentwords he used did more to convince Herr Goebel that he belonged to thearistocracy than if he had spoken with the most exemplary humility.Goebel felt convinced he was not the Prince, but some young noble, who,intimate with the Royal Family, and knowing the Emperor's son to be outof the way, thought it safe to assume his name, the better to carryforward his purpose, whatever that purpose might actually be. That itwas to open the Rhine he did not for a moment credit, and that he wouldever see his cash again, if once he parted with it, he could notbelieve.

  "At the risk of tiring you, I shall nevertheless proceed with what I wasabout to say. We merchants, for our own protection, contribute to a fundwhich might be entitled one for secret service. This fund enables us toprocure private information that may be of value in our business. Amongother things we need to know are accurate details pertaining to theintentions and doings of our rulers, for whatever our own short-comingsmay be, the actions of those above us affect business one way or theother. May I read you a short report that came in while I was serving myterm of imprisonment?"

  "Oh, read what you like," said Roland indifferently, throwing back hishead, and partially closing his eyes, with an air of _ennui_.

  The merchant drew towards him a file of papers, and going through themcarefully, selected a document, and drew it forth, then, clearing histhroat, he read aloud--

  "'At an hour after midnight, on St. Stanislas' Day, three nobles, onerepresenting the Archbishop of Mayence, the second the Archbishop ofTreves, and the third the Archbishop of Cologne, armed with authorityfrom these three Electors and Princes of the Church, entered the Saalhoffrom the side facing the river, and arrested in his bed the young PrinceRoland. They assured the Empress, who protested, that the Prince wouldbe well cared for, and that, as an insurrection was feared in Frankfort,it was considered safer that the person whom they intended to elevate tothe throne on the event of the Emperor's death, should be out of harm'sway, being placed under the direc
t care of the Archbishop of Mayence.They informed the Empress that the Archbishops would not remove thePrince from the Palace in opposition to the wishes of either the Emperoror herself, but if this permission was not given, a meeting of theElectors would at once be called, and some one else selected to succeedthe present ruler.

  "'This consideration exerted a great influence upon the Empress, whocounseled her son to acquiesce. The young man was led to a boat then inwaiting by the river steps of the Palace, and so conveyed down the Mainto the Rhine, which was reached just after daybreak. Without landing,and keeping as much as possible to the middle of the river, the partyproceeded down the Rhine, past Bingen, to the foot of the crag on whichstands the castle of Ehrenfels. The Prince was taken up to the Castle,where he now remains.

  "'The Archbishops from their revenues allot to him seven hundred thalersa month, in addition to his maintenance. It is impossible for him toescape from this stronghold unaided, and as the Emperor takes nointerest in the matter, and the Empress has given her consent, he islike to be an inmate of Ehrenfels during the pleasure of theArchbishops, who doubtless will not elect him to the throne insuccession unless he proves compliant to their wishes. The Prince beinga young man of no particular force of character'" (the merchant pausedin his reading, and looked across at his _vis-a-vis_ with a smile, butthe latter appeared to be asleep), "'he will probably succumb to theArchbishops, therefore merchants are advised to base no hopes upon animprovement in affairs, even though the son should succeed the father.Despite the precautions taken, the arrest and imprisonment of thePrince, and even the place of his detention, became rather generallyknown in Frankfort, but the news is in the form of rumor only, andexcites little interest throughout the city.'

  "There, Sir Roland, what do you say to that?"

  "Oh, nothing much," replied Roland. "The account might have stated thatin the boat were five rowers, who worked lustily until we reached theRhine, when, the wind being favorable, a sail was hoisted, and with thecurrent assisting the wind, we made excellent time to Ehrenfels. Iobserve, further, that your secret service keeps you very well informed,and therefore withdraw a tithe of the harsh things I said regarding thestupidity of the merchants."

  "Many thanks for the concession," said Goebel, replacing the documentwith its fellows. "Now, as a plain and practical man, what strikes me isthis: you need only return to Ehrenfels for two months, and as there islittle use for money in that fortress, your maintenance beingguaranteed, and seven hundred thalers allowed, you can come away withfour hundred thalers more than the sum you demand from me, and thus putyour project into force without being under obligations to any despisedmerchant."

  "True, Herr Goebel, but can you predict what will happen in Frankfortbefore two months are past? You learn from that document that the shrewdArchbishops anticipate an insurrection, and doubtless they command theforce at hand ready to crush it, but during this conflict, which youseem to regard so lightly, does it ever occur to you that the merchants'palaces along the Fahrgasse may be sacked and burnt?"

  "That, of course, is possible," commented the merchant.

  "Nay, it is absolutely certain. Civil war means ruin, to innocent andguilty alike."

  "You are in the right. Now, will you tell me how you escaped fromEhrenfels?"

  "Yes; if you agree to my terms without further haggling."

  "I shall agree to your terms if I believe your story."

  "It seems impossible, sir, to pin you down to any definite bargain. Isthis the way you conduct your business?"

  "Yes; unless I am well assured of the good faith of my customer. Ioffered you ordinary business terms when I asked for security, or forthe signature of three responsible merchants to your bond. It is becauseI am a merchant, and not a speculator, that I haggle, as you term it."

  "Very well, then, I will tell you how I got away, but I begin my recitalrather hopelessly, for you always leave yourself a loophole of escape.If you believe my story, you say! Yes: could I weave a romance abouttearing my sheets into ropes; of lowering myself in the dark from thebattlements to the ground; of an alarm given; of torches flashing; ofdiving into the Rhine, and swimming under the water until I nearlystrangled; of floating down over the rapids, with arrows whizzing roundme in the night; of climbing dripping to the farther shore, far fromsight of Ehrenfels, then, doubtless, you would believe. But my escapewas prosaically commonplace, depending on the cupidity of one man. Thematerial for it was placed in my hands by the Archbishops themselves.Your account states that the Castle is well guarded. So it is, but whenthe Archbishop needs an augmentation of his force, he withdraws his menfrom Ehrenfels to Mayence, as my prison is the nearest of hispossessions to his capital city, and thus at times it happens that theCastle is bereft of all save the custodian and his family. His eldestson happens to be of my own age, and not unlike me in appearance. Noneof the guards saw me, except the custodian, and you must remember he wasa very complacent jailer, for the reason that he knew well every risingsun might bring with it tidings that I was his Emperor, so he cultivatedmy acquaintance, to learn in his own thrifty, peasant way what manner ofruler I might become, and I, having no one else to talk to, made much ofhis company.

  "Frequently he impressed upon me that his task of jailer was mostirksome to him, but poverty compelling, what could he do? He swore hewould accomplish whatever was in his power to mitigate my captivity, andthis indeed did; so at last when the Castle was empty I made him aproposal. Now remember, Sir Merchant, that what I tell you is inconfidence, and should you break faith with me, I will have you hangedif I become Emperor, or slit your throat with my own sword if I don't."

  "Go on. I shall tell no one."

  "I said to my jailer: 'There are not half a dozen people in this worldwho know me by sight, and among that half-dozen no Elector is included.Outside the Palace at Frankfort I am acquainted with a sword maker ortwo, and about a score of good fellows who are friends of theirs, but tothem I am merely a fencing-master. Now, seven hundred thalers a monthpass through your honest hands to mine, and will continue to do so. Yourson seems to be even more silent than yourself, and he is a young fellowwhom I suspect knows the difference between a thaler and a button on hisown coat. If you do what I wish, there will be some slight risk, butthink of the reward immediate and in future! At once you come into anincome of seven hundred thalers a month. If I am elected Emperor, Ishall ennoble you, and present you with the best post in the land. Ifyou don't do what I wish, I shall cause your head cut off as the firstact of my first day of power.'"

  "You did not threaten to slit his throat with your own sword, failingyour elevation?" asked the merchant, with a smile.

  "No. He was quite safe from my vengeance unless I came to the throne."

  "In that case I should say the custodian need not fear the future. Butplease go on with your account."

  "I proposed that his son and I should exchange costumes; in short, theyoung man was to take my place, occupying the suite of rooms assigned tome in the Castle. I told his father there was not the slightest fear ofdiscovery, for if the Archbishop of Mayence sent some one to see thatthe Prince was safe, or even came himself, all the young man need do wasto follow my example and keep silent, for I had said nothing from thetime I was roused in my room in the Saalhof until I was lodged inEhrenfels. I promised, if set at liberty, to keep within touch ofFrankfort, where, at the first rumor of any crisis, I could returninstantly to Ehrenfels.

  "The custodian is a slow-minded man, although not so laggard in comingto an agreement as yourself. He took a week to turn the matter over inhis mind, and then made the plunge. He is now jailer to his own son, andthat young peasant lives in a style he never dreamed of before. TheArchbishops are satisfied, because they believe I cannot escape from thestronghold--like yourself, holding but a poor opinion of my abilities;and their devout Lordships know that outside the fortress no person, noteven my mother, wishes me forth. I took in my wallet five hundredthalers, and fared like the peasant I seemed to be, down the Rhine, nowon one s
ide, now on the other, until I came to the ancient town ofCastra Bonnensia of the Romans, which name the inhabitants now shortento Bonn. There I found the Archbishop in residence, and not at Cologne,as I had supposed. The town being thronged with soldiers and inquisitivepeople of Cologne's court, I returned up the Rhine again, remembering Ihad gone rather far afield, and although you may not believe it, Icalled upon my old friend the custodian of Ehrenfels, and enjoyed anexcellent meal with him, consuming some of the seductive wine that isgrown on the same side of the river about a league above Ehrenfels."

  "I dare say," said the merchant, "that I can give the reason for thisapparently reckless visit of yours to Ehrenfels. You were in want ofmoney, the five hundred thalers being spent."

  "Sir, you are exactly in the right, and I got it, too, without nearly somuch talk as I have been compelled to waste on the present occasion."

  "What was your object in going down the river instead of turning toFrankfort?"

  "I had become interested in my prison, and had studied methods by whichit could be successfully attacked. I knew that my father allowed theBarons of the Rhine to override him, and I wondered if his wisdom wasgreater than I thought. Probably, said I to myself, he knew theircastles to be impregnable, but, with the curiosity of youth, I desiredto form an opinion of my own. I therefore lodged as a wayfarer at everycastle to I could gain admittance, making friends with some underling,and getting a bed on occasion in the stables, although often I lodgedwithin the castle itself. Thus I came to the belief, which I bring toyou, that assisted by twenty fearless men I can capture any castle onthe Rhine with the exception of three. And now, Herr Goebel, I have saidall I intend to say. Do you discredit my story?"

  The merchant gazed across at him quizzically for some time withoutmaking any reply, then he said:

  "Do you think I believe you?"

  "Frankly, I do not."

  "If I am unable to give you the gold, I can at least furnish some goodadvice. Set up as a poet, good Master Roland, and weave for ourdelectation stories of the Rhine. I think your imagination, ifcultivated, would give you a very high place among the romancers of ourtime."

  With a patience that Herr Goebel had not expected, Roland replied:

  "It grieves me to return empty-handed to my twenty friends, who lastnight bade me a very confident adieu."

  "Yes, they will be disappointed, and I shrewdly suspect that my thousandthalers would not go towards the prosecuting of the expedition you haveoutlined, but rather in feasting and in wine."

  "Again, sir, you are right. It is unfortunate that I am so oftencompelled to corroborate your statements, when all the acumen with whichyou credit my mind is turned towards the task of proving you apurse-proud fool, puffed up in your own conceit, and as short-sighted asan owl in the summer sunlight. However, let us stick to our text. Ifwhat I said had been true, although of course you know it isn't, youhave nevertheless enough common sense to be aware that I would certainlyshow a pardonable reluctance about visiting my father's Palace. It isthronged with spies of the Archbishop, and although, as I have said, Iam not very well known, there is a chance that one or another mightrecognize me, and then, almost instantly, a man on a swift horse wouldbe on his way to Mayence. If I knew that I had been discovered, I shouldmake at once for Ehrenfels, arriving there before an investigation washeld. But my twenty comrades would wait for me in vain. Nevertheless, Ishall venture into the Saalhof this very afternoon, and bring to you aletter written by my mother certifying that I am her son. Would thatconvince you?"

  "Yes; were I sure the signature was genuine."

  "Ah, there you go again! Always a loophole!"

  The young man spoke in accents of such genuine despair that his host wastouched despite his incredulity.

  "Look you here," he said, bending across the table. "There is, ofcourse, one chance in ten thousand that you are what you say. I havenever seen the signature of the Empress, and such a missive could easilybe forged by a scholar, which I take you to be. If, then, you wish toconvince me, I'll put before you a test which will be greatly to youradvantage, and which I will accept without the loophole."

  "In Heaven's name, let's hear what it is."

  "There is something that you cannot forge: the Great Seal of the Realm,attached to all documents signed by the Emperor."

  "I have had no dealings with my father for years," cried the young man."I have not even seen him these many months past. I can obtain thesignature of my mother to anything I like to write, but not that of myfather."

  "Patience, patience," said the merchant, holding up his hand. "'Tis wellknown that the Empress can bend the Emperor to her will when she choosesto exert it. You see, in spite of all, I am quite taking it for grantedthat you are the Prince, otherwise 'twere useless to waste time in thistalk. You display all the confidence of youth in speaking of theexploits you propose, and, indeed, it is cheering for a middle-agedperson like myself to meet one so confident of anything in thesepessimistic days. But have you considered what will happen if somethinggoes wrong during one of your raids?"

  "Nothing can go wrong. I feel no fear on that score."

  "I thought as much. Very well, I will tell you what could go wrong. SomeBaron may entrap you and your score, and forthwith hang you all from hisbattlements. Now, it is but common sense to prevent such a termination,if it be possible. Therefore seek out the Empress. Tell her that you andyour twenty companions are about to embark on an enterprise greatlybeneficial to the land. Say that you go incognito, and that, even shouldyou fail, 'twill bring no discredit to your Royal House. But point outthe danger of which I forewarn you. Ask her to get the signature of theEmperor attached to a safe-conduct, together with the device of theGreat Seal; then if the Baron who captures you cannot read, he willstill know the potency of the picture, and as there is no loophole to myacceptance of this proof, I will, for your convenience, and for my ownprotection, write the safe-conduct on as sound a bit of parchment asever was signed in a palace."

  Saying this, Herr Goebel rose, and went to his desk in a corner of theroom, where he indited the memorial he had outlined, and, aftersprinkling it with sand, presented it to Roland, who read:

  "These presents warn him to whom they are presented that Roland thebearer is my son, and that what he has done has been done with mysanction, therefore he and his twenty comrades are to be held scathless,pending an appeal to me in my capital city of Frankfort.

  "Whomsoever disobeys this instrument forfeits his own life, and that ofhis family and followers, while his possessions will be confiscated bythe State."

  Roland frowned.

  "Doesn't it please you?" asked Goebel, his suspicions returning.

  "Well, it seems to me rather a plebeian action, to attack a man'scastle, and then, if captured, crawl behind a drastic threat like this."

  The merchant shrugged his shoulders.

  "That's a sentimental objection, but of course you need not use thedocument unless you wish, though I think if you see twenty-one loopedropes dangling in the air your hesitation will vanish. Oh, not on yourown account," cried Goebel, as a sign of dissent from his visitor, "butbecause of those twenty fine young fellows who doubtless wait to drinkwine with you."

  "That is true," said Roland, with a sigh, folding up the stiffparchment, opening his cloak, and thrusting it under his belt, standingup as he did this.

  "Bring me that parchment, bearing the Emperor's signature and the GreatSeal, and you will find the golden coins awaiting you."

  "Very well. At what time this evening would it please you to admit me?"

  "Friends of mine are coming to-night, but they are not likely to stoplong; merely a few handshakes, and a few cups of wine. I shall be readyfor you when the Cathedral clock strikes ten."

  With this the long conference ended, and the aged servitor in the hallshowed Roland into the Fahrgasse.

  As the young man proceeded down the Weckmarkt into the Saalgasse, hemuttered to himself:

  "The penurious old scoundrel! God keep me i
n future from dealing withsuch! To the very last he suspects me of being a forger, and has writtenthis with his own hand, doubtless filling it with secret marks. Still,perhaps it is as well to possess such a safeguard. This is my loopholeout of the coming enterprise, I fear we are all cowards, noble andmerchant alike."

  He walked slowly past the city front of the Palace, cogitating somemeans of entering without revealing his identity, but soon found thateven this casual scrutiny made him an object of suspicion. He could notrisk being accosted, for, if taken to the guard-room andquestioned--searched, perhaps, and the sword found on him--acomplication would arise adding materially to the difficulties alreadyin his way. Quickening his pace, he passed through the Fahrthor, and soto the river-bank, where he saw that the side of the Saalhof frontingthe Main was guarded merely by one or two sentries, for the mob couldnot gather on the surface of the waters, as it gathered on thecobble-stones of the Saalgasse and the Fahrthor.

  Retracing his steps, the Prince walked rapidly until he came to thebridge, advancing to the iron Cross which commemorates the fowlsacrifice to the devil, as the first living creature venturing upon thatancient structure. Here he leaned against the parapet, gazed at theriver facade of the Palace, and studied his problem. There were threesets of steps from the terrace to the water, a broad flight in thecenter for use upon state occasions, and a narrow flight at either end;the western staircase being that in ordinary use, and the eastern stepstrodden by the servants carrying buckets of water from the river to thekitchen.

  "The nearer steps," he said to himself, "offer the most feasibleopportunity. I'll try them."

  He counted his money, for here was probably a case for bribery. He foundtwenty-four gold pieces, and some loose silver. Returning the coins tohis pouch, he walked to the land, and proceeded up the river until hereached a wharf where small skiffs were to let. One of these he engaged,and refusing the services of a waterman, stepped in, and drifted downthe stream. He detached sword and scabbard from his belt, removed thecloak and wrapped the weapon in it, placing the folded garment out ofsight under the covering at the prow. With his paddle he kept the boatclose to the right bank, discovering an excellent place of concealmentunder the arch supporting the steps, through which the water flowed. Hewaited by the steps for a few moments until a scullion in long gabardinecame down and dipped his bucket in the swift current.

  "Here, my fine fellow," accosted Roland, "do you wish to earn a pair ofgold pieces?" and he showed the yellow coins in the palm of his hand.

  The menial's eyes glistened, and he cast a rapid glance over hisshoulder.

  "Yes," he replied breathlessly.

  "Then leave your bucket where it is, and step into this wherry."

  The underling, again with a cautious look around, did as he was ordered.

  "Now throw off that outer garment, and give it to me."

  Roland put it on over his own clothes, and flung his bonnet beside thecloak and sword, for the servant was bareheaded.

  "Get under that archway, and keep out of sight until you hear mewhistle."

  Taking the bucket, Roland mounted the steps, and strode out of thebrilliant sunlight into the comparative gloom of the corridor that ledto the kitchen. He had been two hours with the merchant, and it was nowthe time of midday eating. Every one was hurrying to and fro, with notime to heed anything that did not pertain to the business in hand, soplacing the bucket in a darkened embrasure, the intruder flung off thegabardine beside it, and searching, found a back stair which heascended.

  Once in the upper regions, he knew his way about, and proceeded directlyto his mother's room, being sure at this hour to find her within. On hisunannounced entrance the Empress gave utterance to an exclamation thatindicated dismay rather than pleasure, but she hurried forward to meetand embrace him.

  "Oh, Roland!" she cried, "what do you here? How came you to the Palace?"

  "By way of the river. My boat is under the arch of the servants'stairway, and I have not a moment to lose."

  "How did you escape from Ehrenfels, and why have you come here? Surelyyou know the Palace will be the first place searched for you?"

  "There will be no search, mother. Take my word for it that no one isaware of my absence from Ehrenfels but the custodian, and for the bestof reasons he dare not say a word. Do not be alarmed, I beg of you. I amfree by his permission, and shall return to the Castle before he needsme. Indeed, mother, so far from jeopardizing my own safety, I am here topreserve it."

  He drew from under his belt Herr Goebel's parchment, and handed it toher.

  "In case it should occur to the good Archbishop, or any other noble, tohang me, I thought it best to get such a declaration signed by theEmperor, and decorated with the Great Seal of the Empire. Then, if anyattempt is made on my life, as well as on my liberty, I may produce thisImperial decree, and bring my case to Frankfort."

  "Surely, surely," exclaimed the agitated lady, her hands trembling asshe held the document and tried to read it; "I can obtain your father'ssignature, but the Great Seal must be attached by the Chamberlain."

  "Very good, mother. The Chamberlain will do as his Majesty orders. Theseal is even more important than the signature, if it comes to that, andI am sure the Chamberlain will make no objection when the instrument isfor the protection of your son's life. It is not necessary to say that Iam here, or have anything to do with the matter. But lose not a moment,and give orders that no one shall enter this room."

  The empress hastened away with the parchment, while the young man walkedimpatiently up and down the room. It seemed hours before she returned,but at last she came back with the document duly executed. Roland thrustit under his belt again, and reassuring his mother, who was now weepingon his shoulder, he tried to tear himself away. The Empress detained himuntil, with fumbling hands, she unlocked a drawer in a cabinet, and tookfrom it a bag that gave forth a chink of metal as she pressed it on herson.

  "I must not take it," he said. "I am quite well provided. The generousArchbishops allow me seven hundred thalers a month, which is paid withexemplary regularity."

  "There are only five hundred thalers here," replied the Empress. "I wishthere were more, but you must accept it, for I should feel easier in mymind to know that you possess even that much. Do they misuse you atEhrenfels, my son?"

  "Oh, no, no, no! I live like a burgomaster. You need feel no fear on myaccount, mother. Ehrenfels is a delightful spot, with old Bingen justacross the water. I like it much better than I did Frankfort, with itshowling mobs, and shall be very glad to get quit again of the city."

  Then, with a hurried farewell, he left the weeping woman, and descendingthe back stair, secured the abandoned gabardine, put it on, and so cameto the water's edge, entering into possession of his boat again.Returning the craft to its owner, he resumed sword and cloak once more,and found his way to a tavern, where he ordered a satisfactory meal.

  In the evening he arrived at the Rheingold, and meeting the landlord inthe large, empty, public cellar, asked that worthy if his friends hadassembled yet, and was told they were all within the Kaiser cellar.

  "Good!" he cried. "I said I would be gone a week, but here I am within aday. If that's not justifying a man's word, I should like to know whatis. And now, landlord, set forth the best meal you can provide, with adouble quantity of wine."

  "For yourself, sir?"

  "For all, landlord. What else? The lads have had no supper, I'llwarrant."

  "A little black bread has gone the rounds."

  "All the more reason that we should have a huge pasty, steaming hot, ortwo or three of them if necessary. And your best wine, landlord. Thatfrom the Rheingau."

  But the landlord demurred.

  "A meal for yourself, sir, as leader, I could venture upon, but feedinga score of hungry men is a different matter. Remember, sir, I have notseen the color of their silver for many a long day, and, since theseevil times have set in, I am a poor man."

  "Sordid silver? Out upon silver! unless it is some silvery fish fro
m theriver, fresh and firm; and that's a good idea. We will begin with fishwhile you prepare the meat. 'Tis gold I deal with to-night, and most ofit is for your pouch. Run your hand in here and enjoy the thrill," andRoland held open the mouth of the bag which contained his treasure.

  "Ah!" cried the inn-keeper, his face aglow. "No such meal is spreadto-night in Frankfort as will be set before you."

  There was a great shout as Roland entered the Kaiser cellar, and ahurrah of welcome.

  "Ha, renegade!" cried one. "Have you shirked your task so soon?"

  "Coward, coward, poltroon!" was the cry. "I see by his face he hasfailed. Never mind them, Roland. Your chair at the head of the tablealways awaits you. There is a piece of black bread left, and though thewine is thin, it quenches thirst."

  Roland flung off his cloak, hung it and the sword on a peg, and took hisseat at the head of the table. Pushing away the flagons that stood nearhim, he drew the leathern bag from his belt, and poured the shiningyellow coins on the table, at the sight of which there arose such a yellthat the stout beams above them seemed to quake.

  "Apologize!" demanded Roland, when the clamor quieted down. "The man whorefuses to apologize, and that abjectly, must take down his sword fromthe peg and settle with me!"

  A shout of apology was the response.

  "We grovel at your feet, High Mightiness!" cried the man who had calledhim poltroon.

  "I have taken the liberty of ordering a fish and meat supper, with adouble quantity of Rudesheimer wine. Again I offer to fight any man whoresents this encroachment on my part."

  "I could spit you with a hand tied behind my back," cried one, "but I amof a forgiving nature, and will wait instead for the spitted fowl."

  "Most of this money," continued Roland quietly, "goes, I suspect, to thelandlord, as a slight recognition of past kindness, but I am promised afurther supply this evening, which will be divided equally amongourselves. I ask you, therefore, to be sparing of the wine." Here he wascompelled to pause for some moments, and listen to groans, hoots, howls,and the rapping of empty flagons on the stout table.

  The commotion was interrupted by the entrance of the landlord, whobrought with him the promised Rhine wine; for, hearing the noise, hesupposed it represented impatience of the company at the delay, amistake which no one thought it worth while to rectify. He promised thatthe fish would follow in a very few minutes, and went out to see thathis word was kept.

  "Why should we be sparing of the wine?" asked a capable drinker, who haddrained his flagon before asking the question. "With all that money onthe table it seems to me a scandalous proviso."

  "'Tis not a command at all," replied Roland, "but merely a suggestion. Ispoke in the interests of fair-play. An appointment was made by me forten o'clock this evening, and I wish to keep it and remain uninfluencedby wine."

  "What's her name, Roland?" inquired the wine-bibber.

  "I was about to divulge that secret when you interrupted me. The name isHerr Goebel."

  "What! the cloth merchant on the Fahrgasse?"

  "Is it cloth he deals in? I didn't know the particulars of hisoccupation beyond the facts that he is a merchant, and lives in theFahrgasse. This morning I enjoyed the privilege of presenting to HerrGoebel a mutually beneficial plan which would give us all something todo."

  "Oh, is Goebel to be our employer? I'm a sword forger, and work for nopuny cloth merchant," said Kurzbold.

  "This appointment," continued Roland, unheeding, "is set for teno'clock, and I expect to return here before half-past, therefore--"

  "Therefore we're not to drink all the wine."

  "Exactly."

  Their leader sat down as the landlord, followed by an assistant,entered, carrying the paraphernalia for the substantial repast, andproceeded to set the table.

  When the hilarious meal was finished, the company sat for anotherhalf-hour over its wine, then Roland rose, buckled on his sword, andflung his cloak over his shoulders.

  "Roland, I hope you have not sold your soul for this gold?"

  "No; but I have pledged your bodies, and my own as well. Greusel, willyou act as secretary and treasurer? Scrutinize the landlord's bill witha generous eye, and pay him the amount we owe. If anything is left, wewill divide it equally," and with that he waved his hand to them,departing amidst a round of cheers, for the active youths were tired ofidleness.

  Punctuality is the politeness of kings, and as the bells of Frankfortwere ringing ten o'clock, Roland knocked at the door of the merchant'shouse in the Fahrgasse. It was promptly opened by the ancient porter,who, after securing it again, conducted the young man up the solidstairway to the office-room on the first floor.

  Ushered in, the Prince found the merchant seated in his usual chair, asif he had never moved from the spot where Roland had left him at noonthat day. Half a dozen candles shed their soft radiance over the table,and on one corner of it, close by Herr Goebel's right elbow, the visitorsaw a well-filled doeskin bag which he fancied might contain thethousand thalers.

  "Good even to you, Herr Goebel," said the young man, doffing his bonnet."I hope I have not trodden too closely on the heels of my appointment,thus withdrawing you prematurely from the festivities, which I trust youenjoyed all the more that you breathed the air of liberty again."

  "The occasion, sir, was solemn rather than festive, for although I wasglad to see my old friends again, and I believe they were glad to seeme, the condition of the city is such, and growing rapidly worse, thatmerchants cannot rejoice when they are gathered together."

  "Ah, well, Herr Goebel, we will soon mend all that. How long will itrequire to load your boat and choose your crew?"

  "Everything can be ready by the evening of the day after to-morrow."

  "You will select one of your largest barges. Remember, it must housetwenty-one men besides the crew and the goods."

  "Yes; I shall see that complete arrangements are made for your comfort."

  "Thank you. But do not provide too much luxury. It might arousesuspicion from the Barons who search the boat."

  "But the Barons will see you and your men in the boat."

  "I think not. At least, we don't intend to be seen. I will call upon youagain to-morrow at ten o'clock. Will you kindly order your captain to behere to meet me? I wish you to give him instructions in my presence thathe is to do whatever I ask of him. We will join the boat on the Rhinebetween Ehrenfels and Assmannshausen. Instruct him to wait for us midwaybetween the two places, on the right bank. And now the money, if youplease."

  "The money is here," said the merchant, sitting up a little more stifflyin his chair as he patted the well-stuffed bag. "The money is here ifyou have brought the instrument that authorizes you to take it."

  "I have brought it with me, mein herr."

  "Then show it to me," demanded the merchant, adjusting his horn glasseswith the air of one who will not allow himself to be hoodwinked.

  "With the greatest pleasure," returned the young man, standing beforehim. He unfastened his cloak, and allowed it to fall at his feet, thenwhisked out his sword, and presented the point of it to the merchant'sthroat.

  Goebel, who had been fumbling with his glasses, suddenly became aware ofhis danger, and shrank back so far as his chair allowed, but the pointof the sword followed him.

  "What do you mean by that?" he gasped.

  "I mean to show you that in this game iron is superior to gold. Yourcard is on the table, represented by that bag. Mine is still in my hand,and unplayed, but it takes the trick, I think. I hope you see theuselessness of resistance. You cannot even cry out, for at the firstattempt a thrust of this blade cuts the very roots of utterance. It willbe quite easy for me to escape, because I shall go quietly out with thebag under my cloak, telling the porter that you do not wish to bedisturbed."

  "It is the Prince of Thieves you are, then," said Herr Goebel.

  "So it would appear. With your right hand pass that bag of gold acrossthe table, and beg of me to accept it."

  The merchant prom
ptly did what he was told to do.

  The young man put his sword back in its place, laughing joyously, butthere was no answering smile on the face of Herr Goebel. As he had said,the condition of things in Frankfort, especially in that room, failed tomake for merriment. Roland, without being invited, drew up a chair, andsat down at the opposite side of the table.

  "Please do not attempt to dash for the door," he warned, "because I canquite easily intercept you, as I am nearer to it than you are, and moreactive. Call philosophy to your aid, and take whatever happens calmly. Iassure you, 'tis the best way, and the only way."

  He untied the cord, and poured the bulk of the gold out upon the table.The merchant watched him with amazement. For all the robber knew, thedoor might be opened at any moment, but he went on with numbering thecoins as nonchalantly as if seated in the treasury of the Corn Exchange.When he had counted half the sum the bag contained, he poured the loosemoney by handfuls into the wallet that had held his mother'scontribution, and pushed towards the merchant the bag, in which remainedfive hundred thalers.

  "You are to know," he said with a smile, abandoning his bent-forwardposture, "that when I visited my mother this afternoon, she quiteunexpectedly gave me five hundred thalers, so I shall accept from youonly half the sum I demanded this morning."

  "Your mother!" cried the merchant. "Who is your mother?"

  "The Empress, as I told you. Oh, at last I understand your uneasiness.You wished to see that document! Why didn't you ask for it? I asked forthe money plainly enough. Well, here it is. Examine Seal andsign-manual."

  The merchant minutely scrutinized the Great Seal and the signature aboveit.

  "I don't know what to think," stammered Herr Goebel at last, gazingacross the table with bewildered face.

  "Think of your good fortune. A moment ago you imagined a thousandthalers were lost. Now it is but five hundred thalers invested, and youare a partner with the Royal House of the Empire."