THE NOVELIST.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3954, 22 March 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NOVELIST.

OR, The Sj.»cctrc of tHe Kroclseii. A TALE OF THE BLACK FOREST. By John Fekderick Smith. CHAPTER I. I love to hear tho wondrous talc Thatcharmod my boyhood's listening car, When fancy at the muse turned pale, Or claimed tho tribute of a tear. Many a year hath passed sineo then, Summer yet lingers on my brow, The cares that wreathe tho diadem Silvered it o'er with winter's snow ; Ycfc still I love these tales of old, They cheat dull time of half his reign, They warm tho heart to pleasure cold ; I hear them, and am young again. Lottis, King of Bavahia. So 6nng Father Ludwig —as his subjects once affectionately named their poet-king; and the author ennnot hptter commence bis tale than by prefixing the first chapter with two or three of his majesty's verses, seeing that many of the scones lie is about to describe now form a portion of tho kingdom of Bavaria. It was a September morning. The sun had already penetrated the marshes and valleys of the Black Forest, but their mists still lingered on the crests of the distant mountains, enveloping them in ngrey, silvery vail, through which their craggy peak?, fringed with the hardy pine, peered occasionally, giving a weird, fantastic character to the scene. A very plight stretch of imagination might have transformed these peaks info stately castles, magnificent abbeys, or lofty watch-towers, perched upon all but inaccessiblo heights. All nature seemed in repose. Tlio storm which during the preceding night had sung such an angry song, screaming, whistling, yelling, amongst the hoary branches of primeval oaks and giant firs, had sunk in tired repose, and the faint murmurs of its dying breath alone were audible. Not , a living creature was to be seen. The wild boar had retreated to the marshy pools it loves so well; the savage boar to its cavern den ; the timid deer sought its sylvan lair to sleep away the noontide hours, or till tho hunter's horn should rudely break its slumbers. This almost oppressive stillness was suddenly broken by a rustling in tho underwood, through which a tall, stately-looking man, clad in tho simple robe of a brother of the Benedictine order, succeeded at Inst in forcing his way. There wero no signs of trepidation on his strongly marked countenance; nnd yet, judging from his torn garments, and the spots.' of blood upon his hands and face, ho had been hotly pursued. Tho fugitive—for such he evidently was — paused, drew a, long breath, and looked cautiously round him, leaning the while for support upon his staff, which was such as pilgrims usually carry. 'Where am 1 ?' he muttered. 'And how am I to find a way out of this pathless wilderness, where danger confronts the wanderer at every turn ? JN T ot from its savage denizens alone, but yet more ferocious enemies—from man —outlaws and assassins, who, disappointed of a richer victim, would shed my blood in mockery and scorn. I will not despair, , he added, after a pause. 'Heaven will not desert its servants in this extremity. Even if I fall, it is but ono soldier from the ranks ; thousands are ready to hike the vacant place, though few, alns! as capable' These last words were uttered without tho slightest tincture of vanity, but rather- in a tone of profound regret, as if it woro a truth painfully forced upon him. A second person now appeared upon tho Eccne, —a rough, stalwart-looking fellow, in the full vigor of manhood—evidently a forester or woodcutter from his dress, for ho carried his axe upon his shoulders and a coil of rope wound round his loins, for the purposo of binding the fagots. He had a bright eye, an open, honest countenance—not, however, without traits denoting both courage and shrewdness. The new-comor whistled cheerfully, as ho emerged from tho narrow track, j ovorshadowed by a mass of tangled shrubs and fallen trees. At sight of tho friar he ceased to whistle and doffed his cap, the usual sign of respect shown by serfs and peasants to tho humblest momber of the church. ' Good day, father,' ho said. ' Have you lost your way ?' ' I have been driven from it by ovil men, who sought my life, , replied the wanderer> ' and yet I never wronged thorn. , ' Sought, your life!' repeated the questioner, in a tone of surpriso, not unmixed with doubt.. ' That is strange ! Tory strange ! Wild and reckless ns most of tho habitants of the forest are, I never know them to attack ono of your sacred calling. It could scarcely havo been for plunder,' ho added. ' Priests and friars arc generally richer in blessings than in coin.' His hearer smiled faintly nfc tho remark. ' I am not quito unprovided with the temporal means of rewarding those who may assist me to recover my path, , he observed. ' I have still a few pieces left, and —' ' Keep thorn for a greater need than tho present one, , interrupted the woodcutter. ' Tho saints forbid I should accept guerdon for performing a simple act of duty. I will be your guide, without fee or recompense. , Tho fugitive appeared struck by an act of disinterestedness rarely met with in ono of tho speaker's class, and asked him his name. 'Hans Berthold, , replied tho man; 'a born serf upon the lands of the high and mighty lord —Count of Bagenstein.' Here he doffed his cap n second time, in reverence to tho name of his feudal master. 'And whither are you bound, father? , he asked. ' To tho Abbey of Corhey, my son.' ' Why, that is (fifteen leagues distant, , remarked the forester. ' In the state you are in, it is impossible you should reach it in one day, oven if I knew the way. I was there oneo when a boy, , he added, 'but that is many years since, and the track is hard to find. , 'Hush !' said tho friai , , listening. • For several minutes neither of the speakers uttered a word. At; last tho deep, hoarso notes of a bloodhound became distinctly audible, although still at a considerable distance ' My enemies arc upon my path,' added the wanderer. ' I am lost. , ' You moan that both of us aro lost,' observed Hans, 'for I will not abandon you. Possibly,' lie continued, ' my young lord has returned and is out hunting; and yet that enn iiurtlly bo,' he muttered to himself —' the hour is too early. Enemies or not, father, we have ono chance of cscnpo, if youj like to trust mo. , Tho lone, defenceless man fixed his oyes upon the speaker with a keen, scrutinizing gazo, ns if ho would read him through. , ' I will trust you, , he said at last j ' I have do other hope. , ' Give mo your hand, then. , Guided by his self-constituted protector, and supporting himself upon his staff, tho friar, whose strength seemed to be fast deserting him, contrived to reach the base of an isolated mass of rocke, about fifteen feet high, Their sides were almost perpendicular.' .."•..••■ • 'I shall never be abjp to climb them,' ho observed, calmly. ' I will do the climbing for both of us,' pb, - served the forester, encouragingly. 'Once on tho summit, I can drop the cord you see twisted round my body—catch a woodcutter without his tools! —and draw you after me. What say you to my plan ?' ' It may succeed, Heaven aiding,' was the reply. , ' Heaven is generally willing to aid those who try to aid themselves,' said Hans. 'But there arc other dangers, my son, which—' ' One at a time, father ; one at a time,' interrupted tho hardy son of the forest. It is poor generalship to face two enemies at, once.' • I His hearer smiled j for such ha's ever been

tho policy of his church—a mosb astute one. With an agility wliich long practice alone could have acquired, Hans Berthold mounted the acclivity and proceeded to let fall the cord, first taking the precaution of tying a strong loop at one end, to pas 3 under the arms of the churchman. ' There, father,' he said, as ho drew the exhausted fugitive within tho shelter of v few stunted shrubs which had found root in tho interstices of the rocks, ' the first danger is past. Now for tho second. Leave me to deal with that. Do not stir till I return.' Tho friar murmured something about the hounds. 'I do not fear them,' said his protector, cheerfully, ' I once encountered the groat bear of the forest singly, and his skin brought mo three silver crowns at Frankfort. My axe is a sharp one, and I know how to use it.' Without waiting a reply, the speaker threw himself fiat upon tho ground, and commenced creeping towards the edge of the acclivity. Liko mosthunters, he had his wits about him, and proved it by taking a position behind a small projecting boulder, sufficiently high to protoct his head from observation. Scarcely had he settled himself, his trusty weapon ready for use, than a powerful bloodhound, broad-chested, its distended nostrils reeking with foam, its head close to the ground to avoid losing the trail, broke through the covert. It was a noblo animal, strong-limbed, hanging jaws, and the dewlaps peculiar to its race ; faithful to its masters, and ferocious only to the victim on-whoso track it had been set. On reaching the foot of the rocks, the sagacious brute set up a cry of disappointment. It seemed to know that its prey had escaped him. ' Howl away !' said Hans, in an under-tono. ' You can't reach us here' lie was mistaken. The hound, satisfied as to the whereabouts of tho fugitive, paused fora few instants to recover breath, and then commenced a succession of gigantic bounds to reach the summit of the acclivity. Tho first nnd second failed. A cry of rage followed, and its bloodshot eyes glared fearfully. The third time it succeeded planting its enormous paws upon the edge, and doubtless would lmvo drawn its huge body after them, had not. the sharp axe of the woodman been instantly buried in its brain. With a cry of almost, human agony, it slowly relinquished its hold, and uttered ono last sharp cry of disappointment and anger. The next instant it fcll'dcad uponthesward beneath. ' Bravely done !' exclaimed the friar, who had watched all that passed from his retreat behind the bushes. ' That blow has removed a second danger from the path. But it is not free from peril yet.' ' Still it was almost a pity,' observed tho woodman, regretfully. ' It wa3 one of St.. Hubert's breed. And yet I cannot say that I am sorry for its death. The life of a fellowcreature is more precious than that of a hound. , ' It wero a sin to doubt it, my son.' ' I do not doubt it, father,' replied Hans. ' It was the necessity of slaying him that I lamented. No harm, I trust, in that. Wo sons of the forest are naturally fond of dogs, and know a good ono when we see it. in childhood they arc our playfellows and protectoi'3 ; in manhood, our companions and friends —ofttimes the truest ones.' The baying of a second bloodhound was now heard. 'Hark !' exclaimed tho friar. 'This timo wo arc lost. ' Not so,' observed tho woodman, coolly, ' Tho animal will not pursue the trail nf tor it has scented the blood of its companion. I am not learned, but I know that much. To our covert, father ; to our covert. All may yet go well. , On regaining their shelter, the speakers stretched themselves upon tho ground onco more, and very soon the second hound camo up to the rocks in full cry, following the track of its mate. As the speaker predicted, no sooner did ifc scent the blood so recently shed than it crouched down beside the body and set up a piteous howl. The chase was ended. It was a momentof intense anxiety for both tho listeners, who gazed intently each in the other's faco, as if to ask what could next bo done. ' But little, I fear,' said Hans Berthold, in answer to tho inquiring look of his companion. ' Tho cry of the dog will guide its masters to the spot.' ' They are keen hunters, , observed the frinr. ' I perceive thoy are, , said tho former. ' If only two or three should attack us, I think I may promise to give a good account of them. This elevated position, he added, ' is not a bad one for defence. If moro assail, us, we musk trust to Providence. Your arm would bo of little service in tho fray. , ' Wero it as powerful as Samson's,' observed the churchman, ' I dare not use it. I am a priest, and may not shed blood even in. self-defence.' This canon of the church has been frequently evaded. At the battle of IJovines the Bishop of Eeauvais, in complete armor and armed with an iron mace, did terriblo execution. When reproached with his warlike deeds ho declared that lie had not been guilty of the slightest breach of discipline— having merely cracked the skulls of the knights and men-at-arms, but carefully abstained from blood-letting. The excuse was held good. ' But as I am no priest;,' observed the forester. ' I havo no such scruples. Theories of yonder brute must be silenced. . Returning to tho spot ho had so lately quitted, the speakers succeeded, after several efforts, in hurling a fragment of rock upon the hound and ending his howlings forever. That done, he crept back to tho side of his companion. This success, however, did not save them, for a party of eight or ten Lanekenetors, as tho German infantry of that day wero named, arrived in hot pursuit. They wero armed not only with lances, but with crossbows, and those lonp, sharp-bladcd knives with which they were accustomed to despatch their wounded enemies upon tho field of battle. These last-named weapons were ironically styled daggers of mercy! On seeing the mungled remains of the hounds the men paused and gathered around them. ' It was no shavelling's hand hurled that stone,' observed one of tho party. ' Or cleft poor Rollo's skull,' added a second. A hasty consultation followed. Several were for returning under the plea that it was ill meddling with tho church, at which otlicrs set up a scornful laugh. What decided thorn to'persevorp was the sarcastic remonstrances of their leader. ' Which of you,' ho demanded, 'will take on himeelf to inform the Palsgrave of tho failure of our expedition ?' Not I, for fifty of the best crowns ever coined. Especially, , he added, 'as his highness is at his castle inßadon. , At the mention of tho easllo his hearers shuddered visibly, and tho youngest of the Lanskcneters crossed himself, for the princely residence of Azon tho Terrible bore nn evil reputation, not onlj , in his own territories on each eido the Rhine, but throughout Germany. Many petty nobles or vavasours, generally childless men, or unsupported by great alliances, had been lured to ifc, and never again taken their place in tho world — their possessions being annexed to those of their captor. Rumors of yet darker deeds wore circulated in whjsperp by the peasantry and burghers, together with tales of sorcery, which tho credulity of tho ago devoutly believed in. The castle, with its machicolated towers, sinking floors,' secret passages, mysterious prisons and dungeons, still exists in a fair state of preservation, and isiisedasahiintingseat by its owner, the Grand Duke of Baden. Tourists are permitted thepayment of a feo, of courso. In the eleventh century it-was included in the possessions of / the Palsgravo of tho Rhine. I 'Fritz is right,' observed ono of tho band ' who had not yet expressed an opinion. 'Wo

dare not return without proofs of tho friar's death. , ' He must bo there, , said tho person alluded to, pointing to tho cluster of rocks. ' Get ready your crossbows.' Some little time elapsed before tho order could be obeyed, for tho process was a slowone. At hist tho Lanskenoters wero ready to discharge- their clumsy weapons. When they did so, six or seven wooden bolts, armed at each end with a rim of h - on, penetrated tho bushes, but without injuring tho fugitivos, who were still lying with tlioir faces to the ground. This manoeuvre, was repeated several times with tho same result, till the missiles wero at length exhausted. 1 There is no one there, , cried several of the men. Their leader, however, was by no means satisfied, but insisted they should climb the acclivity and make a minute search. Confident in their opinion, his followers readily obejed, their captain leading them. He was tho first victim. A stone launched by the strong hand of the foreeter struck him full in the chest, and ho fell backwards insensible. Undismayed by tho discomfiture of Fritz, the Lanskencters rushed forward to secure their victims. They were still six to one, for the friar never raisod his hand except in prayer. Fortunately for Hans firearms were unknown in those days. Planting himself in front of the churchman ho contrived to keep off his assailants for some littl« timo by wielding his powerful axe. Still it was evident tho contest could not last long. When hope seemed hopeless, and tho sturdy woodsman was about to striko his last blow—not for safely, but manhood and for vengeance— a sudden panic seized h'*s assailants—a fear— worse than fear, a nameless terror, such as chills tho blood, freezes tho action of tho heart —had fallen upon them. For several instants they stood motionless, and their arms fell uselessly from their trembling hands. 'Tbo fiend! the fiend!' they shrieked. 'Tho friar has raised the evil one to defend him, , Such was the consternation of the I.anskeneters Mint several cast themselves headlong from the height they had ascended. Others took the descent, but with some,slight precaution. In a few seconds all had disap- . poured, leaving their leader senseless at the foot of the rocks. 'Father! Father!' shouted Hans, palo with fear, for even his courage had given way, ' hero is an enemy you may contend with. Earthly arms are powerless against him.' Tho friar emerged from his concealment and found tho speaker upon his knees, his face buried in his hands. The sight that met his gaze might have appalled the stoutest heart. High in nir, and apparently advancing through tho mist which still enveloped tho crosfc of the Brocken, appeared the gigantic figure of the knight completely armed, and carrying his lance upon his shoulders. The priest raised his hand and made the air-draw sign before which, according to tho supei'stition of tho age, the powers of darkness wero supposed to tremble. To his astonishment, instead of vanishing, as he oxpected, the phantom imitated tho action. ' Does the fiend mock me !' ho exclaimed, sinking upon his knees. ' Havo my powers left me ? Saints and martyrs aid me.' Rowing his head to the dust for several minutes he remained in mental prayer. When he lifted his eyes again tho mist had cleared, the spectral knight had vanished, and tho sun was shining on tho rugged crest of tho Brocken. The forester ventured to look up afc last, and found his companion pale and trembling. ' Is it gone, father ?' he faltered. ' The evil one hath fled, , replied thochurchraan. 'Ah! I thought lie could not withstand your Latin! ' Hark !' added the speaker, speaking in a firmer tone. 'I know tho sound of that bugle. Our young lord is hunting. I heard ho had beon absent. Courage, father j weave saved. Lord Roland would not permit the greatest princo in Suabia to harm a hair of our heads upon his father's lands. , After a slight delay the young heir of tho house of Raqenstein, clad in knightly armor and bearing his lance upon his shoulder, was seen approaching from the cast. A party of men-at-arms followed at a distance. '■.:••. CHAPTER 11. First lovo is like a sylvan maze, Planted in somo quaint garden g.ay. It seems, as from its verge we gaze, Impossible to go astray. The pretty birds so sweetly sing. Youth is not given much to doubt: Pleasant enough the walking in, But oh ! tho pain of getting out. The Atttiiob. Paradise, in all the freshness of its beauty, must-have appeared rather a dull abode to Adam before woman appeared upon the scene ; then its full brightness stood revealed ; the air seemed more fragrant; the song bird's note more musical ; the golden fruit more luscious to his lips when Eve partook life's banquet with him. Wo aro about to mnko amends for an unavoidable omission in the preceding chapter, and introduce several personages of the gentler sex to our readers. Tho Castle of Ragenstein, like tho residences of tho great feudal nobles in the eleventh century, was a place of great natural strength : in fact, so much so that, till the invention of cannon, it was deemed all but impregnable. Beyond the sito, which was an extensive ledge of granite rocks, from whence tho views of the forest and the Suabian hills were exceedingly picturesque, thero was little beauty to recommend it. This, however, was scarcely considered a, blemish in those days, when every man's hand was againsthis neighbor and security tho first thing needful. The different architects who superintended the erection of the stupendous pile had not lost sight of that important point; all else had been sacrificed to it, and the Counts of Ragenstein could sleep securely in their stronghold. Famine or treachery alone could take it. The keep, or principal building, stood in the centre of an immense quadrangle, whose massive walls,, some sixty feet high, surrounded it on every side, and rose towering above tho mass of rocks on which they had been reared with such skill and patient labor. In times of danger theso walls wereguardod night and day-not only by the vassals and inen-tvt-nrms in tho servicoof its noble owner, but by the inhabitants of that portion qf the forest included in his wide domains. In more peaceful times tho battlements sewed as a promenade for the ladios of tho family, their female attendants, and those officers of tho household whose rank entitled them to tho privilege. Tho noontido repast was over, and three fair girls, released from their attendance upon the countess, were grouped togethor directly over the western gate, and stood watching the rough, winding road whioh lod to it. Evidently they wero expecting somo ono. Not one of the three maidens had reached her twentieth year. Nature had endowed tho eldest, Carlina, with a ' complexion fair as the purest blonde of Saxony could boast of; but there tho re-: semblance ended—her eyes and hair being' dark, as she had been born on tho banks of the Tiber. The contrast was most pleasing, especially when she smiled. " Louise, the.next in age, was a blonde of a more perfoct type—blue eyes, hair, and every trait in harmony. The young knights and squires all fancied tbemeelves desperately in love with her ; and several of them doubtless wero so ; but. she only luugbeflatthem ; declared that her heart, had no room for love ; friendship already filled it. Then she und Elgitha, the youngest of her companions, intended-to-retire to a. convent and pass their lives in peace. When tho Widowßeckendorf,whosuperintended the household of tho countess, heard

this sho smiled. Probably she had listened to such dreams before. Few persons would have pronounced tho youngost and third girl to be beautiful, although her child-like features gave promiseof that intellectual loveliness whose spell is more potent than regularity of form and graceful outline. Her eyes, of tho deepest azure, shaded by long dark lashes, were serious—nay, almost melancholy in their expression, as if somo great sorrow or cruel doom wero 0 impending over her, shadowing tho natural joyousness of her youthful lioart; and yet her eyes would sometimes smile. Like lips, they aro expressive of happiness. Like hor two companions, she was richly attired, but with greater simplicity ; not a jewel of any kind adorned her person. Sho could both read and write ; rare accomplishments in those days, when a country school girl of the present timo would bo looked upon as a prodigy of learning, and possibly have run tho risk of being burnt as a sorceress. None know exactly in what rank Elgitha had been born, or the name of her family. As ono of tho household of tho countess, she was presumed to be noble ; no other being received by that highly decorous and strictly virtuous lady, who liko most of the Grande Dames of the period, entertained tho daughters of several relatives and friends, to train and oducnlc in the limited accomplishments of tho period. They repaid her by their services, attending her high mightiness afc her toilet, at church, and on all stato occasions. Tho three maidens, were anxiously watching for the return of the young heir of tho house of Ragenstein, who, on receiving the honor of knighthood, had made a pilgrimage to the shrine of the three kings of Cologne, the patron saints of his race. Possibly the journey had been mado on political motives. Tho contest between the church and the empire already began to divide Germany into two great parties—the Guelfs and the Gliibilinos. Tho former ad-hci-ed to the popes in the disputed question of invesfcituro ; the latter sided with the emperor, who had already been compelled to abandon his rights to sell —otherwise dispose of—bishoprics, abbeys, and religious benefices, to lm dissolute, brutal nobility. Tho present qunrrel included something more. Tho church now claimed to bo sole judge in all civil disputes respecting-the inheritance of lands, and even sovereign states. No wonder Unit the empire had taken tho alarm. It struck at tho very existence of tho feudal system. 1 It must be our young Lord Roland !' exclaimed Plpitha, pointing to a distant cloud of dust which sho was tho first to perceive. ' 0 ! how hnppy his return will make us!' ' Speak for yourself, , said Carlina, sharply. ' I require no ono to interpret either my thoughts or feelinjjs.' Tho maiden looked in the face of the speaker timidly, wondering what sho had said or done to provoke hor anger. 'I agree with yon perfectly,' observed Louise, whoso countenance flushed at tho harsh reproof directed agninsfc her friond. ' Youi* feelings are so transparent that all can read them. You arc jealous, Carlina.' ' Jealous !' repeated the latter, in a tone of disdain. ' Jealous of a child ? Ridiculous !' ' Well! It is rather absurd, I admit, , said the warm-hearted girl; ' but none the lees true. 'Elgitha, , she added, 'you must not forget your promise to inform the countess of the approach of her son. Aro you quite certain it is tho Lord Roland ?' ' How can I bo mistaken, , answered tho mnidon, naivoly, ' when ho is so good to mo? , Carlina hit her lips'as tho innocent object of her dislike quitted the battlomonts to impart tho glad tidings to the anxious mother, leaviiig hor two companions on the walls, who for several instants regarded each other in silence. ' You aro very unkind,' observed the elder, who felt that she had spoken incautiously. ' Unkindnesß begets unkindness,' observed Louise. ' I havo never been unkind to you.' ' Because you arc not jealous of mo,' answered tho former. ' Why did you use such, hard words to Elgitha ? You know how dearly Hove her. She is ns a sister to mo.' ' And yet you wonder that I am jelous of her. , ' . ' I do not understand you, , 'Then you are blind, , added Carlina. 'I havo tried every moans to win her friendship, and it is hnrd to be supplanted in the hearts of those wo love without deserving it.' Louise saw tho ruse, and replied by a low musical laugh. ' Why, what a simpleton'you must take mo for! , she observed. 'You never cared a feather for mo, and never will. Besides, it was of Lord Roland we were speaking.' ' O ! Louise! Louiso!' exclaimed the artful girl. 'How can you suspect me of Buok unmaidenly motives, Ho scarcely ever notices me, and I am not one of those who may unsought* be won.' ' There is some truth in'that,' observed hor hearer, reflectively. ' Men do not liko to bo wooed, and I have noticed that Roland docs seem to avoid you.' Carlina hit hor Hpa a second lime. The words of tho speaker were gall and wormwood to her haughty spirit; but prudence induced her to change the subject. Before the cavalcade reached tho castle gate the Count and Countess of Ragenstein were waiting under the arched entrance to rocoivo their son, who no sooner perceived them than ho sprang from his horso, and half bending the knee, kissed a hand of each—such being the custom of the ago on all publio occasions. In the privacy of their apartments parents and children doubtless indulgod in warmer and more affeotlonato demonstrations. ' Weloome back, my son,' said the count, gravely. . .. • . ■ The mother did not speak ; her welcome wfis in hor eyes. 'Whom hive you brought with you?' added his father, pointing to two litters which a party of foresters were bearing upon their shoulders. ' Tho first contains a holy friar of the Benedictine order —one of a band of pilgrims returning, like myself from Cologne. They were dispersed, and several of thorn slain, by outlaws. One only escaped, thanks to tho courageous defence made by Hans Berthold, my lord and father's serf.' ' ITo shall be rewarded, my son.' : ' The other litter brings tho leader of tho■ outlaws—a prisoner,' added tho young knight, ' wounded by Hans in fcb.o fray.' ' And where did this occur?' ■ ' ' About seven loaguos- off, upon tho lands of my lord and father,' answered Roland. . ' What !' exclaimed tho count, flushing with augor, for lie wae exceedingly tenacious of his feudal privileges—'so near to our castle ! But tho outrago shall bo speedily avenged. Seneschal, he added, turning to a gray-haired officer standing a few paoes behind him, ' as soon as tho countcas and her ladies have retired lot the ruffian swing from tho barbacon turret, a warning to nil who venture to violato the rights of Holy Church and tho lands of Ragenstein.' 'My lord and father—' said his son. 'Not a word,' interrupted tho count. ' The doom is spoken.' . 'And a most righteous ono, , observed Roland. ' Who shall dare gainsay it ? Still I would respectfully suggest whether it might not be as well first to examine the offendor, and allow him to havo spiritual aid.' 'At least it can do no harm,' replied the ' aged noblo, who divined that tho speakor had some - powerful motive for tho request. ' Let him be confined in one of the dungeons of the keep till we havo leisure to attend to him. , r On receiving this second command the seneschal bowed lowly, and motioned to several of the castle guard to take possession of tho litter containing tho wounded Fritz. The second ono was conveyed at once to the keep, and tho friar removed to a chamber, where Madam Yon Beckendorf and the female attendants of the countess looked to his injuries. Tho noblest girls in Christendom, in those(For continuation see next page-)

days, were trained fco know something *f surgery. As soon as the re-unitod family were assembled in their private apartments the cold, ■ceremonious etiquette which marked the ifirst meeting was laid aside ; nature resumed •her claims. The countess embraced her son affectionately, and'her husband, placing his hand familiarly upon his shoulder, asked what news ho had brought with him from Cologne. ' Varied and important,' answered the young knight. ' Our holy' father, Alexander, is failing fast. He "has not long to live.' • His death will be a loss to the Christian woild,' observed tho count, thoughtfully, 'and to the church a heavy blow.' 'Heaven will provide it with a successor worthy of him,' continued Roland. 'Doubtless, my son, doubtless,' said his parent. 'Trouble and danger aroat hand —I fear that wo shall need ono. And how did his highness, the archbishop elector, receive youP'" 1 Most kindly—l might add affectionately, but you would think me vain. He lodged me in his own palace.' ' Tho better to watch your movements,' answered the count, dryly. Roland looked surprised. 'My dear son, , added the speaker, 'you havo much to learn yet. The prelate—that I should say such things of a churchman—is a time-server—a partisan of the emperor, to whom he owes his elevation. He would sell his spiritual birthright for a mess of pottage. Did lie speak of me ?' ' Host affectionately.' ' Ah !' ejaculated the count. ' A sure sign that he is plotting some treachery against me! , 'Is it possible ?' said his eon. This time he did not appear so much surprised. ' You are no longer a boy, Roland, said his father. 'In receiving the golden spurs of knighthood you took upon yourself the responsibilities of manhood. There ought to be no concealment between us. Tell me, frankly, all you have seen, suspected or observed. Have I not a right to your confidence ?' 'To my life !' exclaimed the youth, gratefully.' Was it not your gift ?' 'My noble boy !' murmured the countess. 'The wily prelate did not quite deceive me,' continued Roland. ' A few hours after my arrival in Cologno I discovered that he had sent ofC especial messengers to the Duke of Baden unci the Palsgrave.' ' The Three, then, are summoned!' muttered the aged noble, half aloud. ' What three! , demanded the son. No sooner had the words which excited tho curiosity of the speaker escaped tho lips of his parent, limn his countenance became pale as ashes. ' You must not ask me that question,' he said, ' Forget that you heard my words. Breathe them not in your sleep ; murmur them not in prayer. There is death in them,' ho added, solemnly. His son bowed his head silently, in token of obedience. ' .Aught else ?' added tho speaker. ' His highness treated me with much courtesy. Commanded tho shrine of tho Three Kings to be opened for my veneration —a most unusual favor.' ' And you beheld tho blessed relics, my son? , 'I did, dear mother,' replied Roland. ' Three fleshless skulls, blanched with age, and crowned with sparkling gems ; each ono reposing on a golden cushion : their names, Caspar, Melchior and Belthazar, written in rubies beneath them. It was an awful sight, , he added. The countess and her husband piously crossed themselves. This shrine —the richest in Germany—just as the writer has described it, may still be seen by travellers at the present day— upon the pajment of a fee, of course. 'Did you meet with any adventures on your return ?' inquired the count. ' Nothing worth speaking of,' answered tho young knight, ' till I arrived within a fow leagues of the castle, where I came upon your serf, Hans, and tho friar I brought with me ; also tho leader of the band which sought their r.vcs.' 'And whom your intercession —for I interpreted your wishes —alone saved from the death he merited/ replied the father. 'The lands of Kagonstcin are a free coimtship,' lie added, proudly, ' held neither of emperor or elector, but in full sovereignty.' 'And you have ruled them wisely,' observed his son. ' Neither cruelty nor extortion have stained youi? roign. Your vassals love you.' ' I think they would strike a fow hard blows in my defence,' said his father, complacently, 'for I have treated them as men, respecting their rights, whilst I maintained my own. But I fear, Roland,' ho added, 'that you havo robbed me of half their regard. , ' Oh,my honored father!' ' Well, well, I am riot jealous of your influence with tho foresters, , said his parent, good-humoredly, 'which, in truth, is justly duo to you. Even as a boy you used to intercede for all that had offended, and the seed of kindness has not been sowninan ungrateful soil, although a rough one. 'Now, then,my eon, retire,' ho continued, ' doff your knightly harness, and prepare for the evening meal, after which we will visit the friar and the prisoner together. , 'At your good plcasu'-o, father.' i 'Aβ the heir of Ragonßteincroned tho great hall on the way to his own apartment a greyhaired man, almostadwarf in stature, stepped from the embrasure formed by ono of the loopholes in tho walls where he had been reading, and placing himself directly in his way, exclaimed, in a shrill, querulous tone of voice : 'Fo the young kestrel has found the way back to its eyrie again.' ' And are you not glad to see him, Alf ?' replied' Roland, in a tone almost affectionate, and at the same time extending his hand to him. 'I am not quite certain of that,' was tho somewhat churlish roply of the singular looking being thus cordially addressed, touching the hand slightly. Tho young knight smiled. He know that ho longed to clasp it. 'Your question,' added the dwarf, 'is something like tho statue of tho heathen god Janus. It has two faces.' ' Which we will examine at leisure in our chamber, if you will accompany us there. I have much to tell you.' The speaker resumed tho way to his own apartments, Alf limping after him. Notr ]?on oun Readehs. —The great contest between tho church and tho German Emperor in the eleventh century turned on tho right of investiture or nominating to all biehoprics, abbeys, and religious benefices which were sold by the sovereigns to illiterate, worthless persons, and not unfrequontly to the perpetrators of great crimes. Pope Alexander 11. partly succeeded in remedying this abuso. His successor, the famous Hildebrancl, completed tho work. Although the struggle has very little to do with this tale, and will be rarely alluded to again, the author deems these few words necessary fco explain certain matters to his readers. (to bb continued.)