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1 1*1 I Tib MgM "•©I As Siv@p Stop/ A IR®Msnrac® ©IT "BE HONEST MEN, NOT FOOLS OF PASSION." taken my place only a few moments when the curtains were drawn, and she stepped to her seat. Sbe shot one swift glance at me—so swift that I doubt if any other noticed it She bowed proudly as a roar of voices wel comed her, but she looked pale and anxious. "It has ever been our custom in Drussenland to let even a prisoner •peak an answer to his accusers." It was a relief to hear her voice break the silence. She spoke softly, yet so clearly that she must have been heard even in the farthest corner. "In these days, however, it has pleased certain of our subjects to speak bitterly of one who Is not a prisoner—one who came to us and was welcomed by us as a knight long expected In our land. The judgment that he was what he has claimed to be rested not with us. Wis dom greater than ours declared his coming to be propitious to our state, and in arms he has borne himself gal lantly, as many a valiant warrior can here attest. Yet some among us have spoken bitterly of him, and more have, in their hearts, condemned him without a hearing. That is indeed in justice. "But worse offense has been com mitted. In our own palace, at our very door, was this knight attacked while he guarded our person. If the assas sin's knife wore raised acamst us, then truly we and nil our loyal sub jects owe this knight thanks for his protection of us If, as some nllinn, the attack was made upon the knight, then are there some among us whom it would be well to stamp out, since for lack of courage they seek to mur der and are no true Drussenlauders We know that the hand which held the knife was not the hand of him ,who devised the crime. The tool paid dearly for his part, and so in good time shall they who planned and who, to screen themselves from our anger, i"-(allenced forever the guards who could nave betrayed them. Now we are here not to judge, nor of our wish is Rta this council called together. It is by }MM the wish of the knight you have ac cused not all of you, but some. Only vaguely has he heard the charges brought against him, and, since there can be no steady answer to vague ru mor, It is our will that you who have aught to say speak and that the knight shall answer you. You who listen," and she swept her arm round to in clude every upturned face in the ball— "you who listen give a patient hear Ing. We seek not to guide you, but be honest men, not fools of passion to be led by every one who tries to move you. Be Drussenlanders, not wretches making our street corners dangerous, men ready to creep In the dark and •tab from behind. I have gloried in that I am your princess, gloried in the brave hearts I rule, gloried in your deeds, have been proud to cry to the whole world that I am a princess in Drussenland, but show me that you are cravens, men afraid to meet their ._ j^—jsnemy face to face, and I will fling this golden circle of my sovereignty among you. Make whom you will your ruler. I should think it shame to call such men my subjects." For a moment there was silence: then a murmur ran through the hall and then a great roar. She had touch ed them. Dexterously she had paved the way for me. "You, our priests, have somewhat against the knight," she said when the shouting had ceased, "and you, our loyal knights. Speak honestly, and you, Sir Verrall, answer honestly, so Justice shall be done." She looked first at the chief of the priests, then at Count Vasca and then at me. [OOVTXHUKB.] I those who sin? I rejoiced at the Purposely, I think, the princess did knight's coming, so is my sorrow keen er that he has made bis mission of none effect For him punishment awaits at the hand of him who sent him. Our duty is not to delay bis go ing. If it be so willed that as he came miraculously so miraculously can he be taken from us, then it shall be. But death is the only means we mortals know of by which he can re turn. Therefore by death should we seek pardon for ourselves. I would my words could take a happier tone. The priest began to speak in a rather singsong tone, as though be were re citing a lesson be hud committed to memory. "The expected knight was to do many things In Drussenland," be said. "He was to bring peace and plenty into it That be should be mighty in achievement I believed, but with that I have nothing to do. My office hin ders me from wielding a sword, and, though my heart may leap at the sight of brave deeds, I can have no part in them. My office Is to watch over the sacred things of this land, to punish those who bring our great religion into disrepute, giving occasion to those of lesser intellect to revile and turn the God we worship into a jest "Your highness has broken a law, and therefore your people have bro ken a law. Think yon peace and plenty shall be poured into the laps of If my eyes are blinded. If I have not read our laws aright then power will be granted to the knight to increase my wisdom. I wish not to condemn hin unheard. It is not I that condemn hin —it is our religion which does so." "For my own part, I had rather re main silent," said Count Vasca. "II may seem envious in me to seek to condemn a knight who in tournament has met me honestly and in the field has fought valiantly. Indeed, I speak only for the many as chief of the knights who attend your highness." "That we know, Sir Vasca," said the princess, looking fixedly at him. She did not take her eyes from him while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis trust in them, for, after beginning so humbly, he went on bitterly enough: "The priest has spoken of the laws With them I have nothing to do. but since the priests and I have been of ten at variance, in that we are agreed in this matter proves the Justice of our complaint The knight was to ac complish two things with which I am concerned—to place your highness on the throne in Yadasara and to find a treasure that should bring plenty to our land. I blame not that these things are not yet accomplished, but that nothing has been done. We are at present a divided country, and whichever side finds the treasure wins also the throne in Yadasara. These foreign dogs the king has brought Into this land would leave him tomorrow were they paid for doing so, and there are hundreds of men in this city who would march to Yadasara tomorrow were the treasure in the king's bands. The time is ripe to win or to lose, for success or rebellion. They expected much of Sir Verrall's coming. They believe they are doomed to disappoint ment, therefore they cry out Though, as a true Drussenlander, I have no pity for those who attacked the knight when he stood your highness'" senti nel, still I affirm that he has only him self to blame. If he is the experttd knight let him fulfill his mission, if not let him answor for the \\hr-li made ns give him wolcome." I A muimur of approbation sounded through the hall Then all ejcs tuin ed toward me I found courage in I the look that was in the princess' eyes as she tumed to me I "I am accused of breaking a law or of causing your highness to break it." I said. "It is true That I succeeded, though with difficulty, as jou. who heard me make my petition, know well, is the greatest good 1 have *ic I complished since 1 have been in Pi' senland. I will tell you why Your priest said if he had judged amiss 1 should have power to increase Ins wisdom. That power I ba\e. 1 wisn him power to understand, and not only the priest, but all you who hear me. From whence I came you do not know. You have a legend which you look to be fulfilled, and at my coming you welcomed me. Think you fulfill ment comes exactly as men expect? The priests have wisdom, and they prophesy, but I came into Drussen land from a more enlightened country, where the wisdom of your priests would be but as the idle prattling of a child This law of yours that pris oners of war shall be slain was framed when men knew little of him they worshiped. This he bids me tell you—that to kill men as you would kill your prisoners is murder. In that the priests prophesy disaster to this land because that law is broken they err most grievously. I prophesy peace for this land if you let mercy rule you rather than vengeance. I fear noth ing of what you can do to me. Death! What is it? A moment In time that sends me to a life of rest But I have a mission, as every true man has, and if In living I cannot fulfill it it shall be fulfilled in dying. That is my an swer to your priests. They err from ignorance I have been given power to speak wisdom to them. Let them beware how they shut their ears to the voice that speaks the truth. "Count Vasca's accusation is of a different kind. I have not yet placed your princess on the throne in Yada sara. I have not yet found the treas ure hidden in this land. But he has made a graver accusation, not against me, but against you. What men are they who hold loyalty so lightly, who care so little who reigns over them, who grumble so loudly and who would so readily march to Yadasara to fight against her highness? Who are they? Speak! In her highness' name, I promise pardon to any man who confesses to disloyalty. No an swer? What! Are we so strangely fy Wj r(vw/ffT/psw fn^^^bf^i^^^i^i^^^w^m^^'W'^^'T^'^ divided that In this hail only loyal subjects find a place? Are all the murmurers without? Itemember, the count accused you, not 1. 1 have fought beside some of you. I bave witnessed many of you do gallantly. I have more faith in you than the count has." And then, turning quickly to the princess, I added: "These are honest men, your high ness, but they feared to contradict four kinsman." The rafters rang again. I\ bad be come an orator to some purpose. "You see, Count Vasca, you were mis taken. Why, when the enemy fled across the river the other day were we not led to follow them? You are a sol dier. You know why. The time was not ripe. It would have been to court defeat We knew not at what point the city was least defended. Neither fe the time ripe for the finding of the treasure, bat it ripens." "Any knight could speak so. We ex pect deeds, not words, from Sir Ver rall/' be answered. "Yon bave forced me to words. Mark you not"—and I spoke to those in the hall—"mark you not bow the two things go together? To set the prin cess on the throne in Yadasara and to find a treasure. At the sword's point must one be accomplished. Is it not the sword's point which shall unlock the biding place of the other? Your treasure lies bidden where only knight ly deeds can win It Your treasure Is valueless until the foreigner is driven from the land. Where think you a treasure would most likely lie in Drus senland? Where but in the greatest stronghold the land contains—in the fortress of Yadasara?" Again the rafters rang. The knights shouted as good knights will shout at the promise of conflict Even the priests forgot to scowl and listened. "Here are swords in plenty. Lead us to victory!" So the knights shouted, and I knew that the greatest danger was over. "I will do more," I said "Three days hence 1 will go to Yadasara. I will en ter the city and spy out its weakness— that is, if her highness gives me leave." The count's lip curled. "You will not return," he said. "I shall, Count Vasca. 1 shall return to lead loyal men to victory." I turned to face the now excited crowd. I spread out my arms, and I cried to them: "Sir knights, loyal men of Drussen land, have I answered my accusers? Shout your trust in me, or, if there Is no trust see here I stand unarmed, draw your weapons and slay me." I had played a bold game. It had served me well. I bad won. CHAPTER XIV. E did not move until the prin cess had risen, which she did almost immediately. There was a flush upon her face as. she retired. I could read in it a look of triumph, but I think no one else there could tell whether she was pleas ed or not at the turn things had taken. The moment the curtains had fallen behind her the priests moved away in procession, their chief looking at me for a moment almost as If I bad increased his wisdom, but he left rae without speaking. Then several knights, my friends, gathered round mo 1 had their good will, but I noted that 1 had not converted a single one who was avowedly opposed to me. They ctossed to Count Vasca, and he suu'fd So we stood in two parties upon the platform. "The ribble is easily moved, Sir Ver i*i 11," he said contemptuously. lie passed down the steps and across the hall, followed by more than half the knights who had stood round the princess "The people shouted 'Sir Verrall,' but not *ill." san! a knight beside me. "We will go with \ou to your quarters." "1 thank \ou. gentlemen. I would willinglj keep my life a little, since I have so much to do in it." From a shadow a lady stepped sud denly—the Lady Aldrida. "By your leave I would speak with Sir Verrall." She came close to me, and there was that in her face that made me look at her hands. They were empty, hang ing at her side. That she was agitated need hardly be stated. Our conversation was hur ried, but every word she uttered show ed that she felt I bad played her wrongfully. In conclusion she said: "You shall regret the friendship, Sir Verrall. You may escape the swords of your enemies, but I will so con trive that you shall not escape my vengeance. It is a dangerous thing to play with such a woman as I am." She moved away from me, and the knights came to my side again. She laughed bitterly. "Guard bim well, gentlemen, if you would keep him. I do not envy you eo false a friend." We were leaving the hall when Jasar met us. Two of the princess' guards were with him. "Her highness commands your pres ence, Sir Verrall," he said. "Her highness thinks I need pro tection," I said to my comrades. "It will save you the trouble of seeing me to my quarters. We are of one mind Is it not so? Each one of us holds his life as naught beside the safety of the princess." I turned and went with Jasar through the ball and along the maze of corridors which led to the secret entrance to the princess' apartment The priest and I entered. The princess was alone and rose to meet me. I would bave knelt to kiss her hand, but she would not let me. I raised her band to my lips as I stood instead. It was bravely done, but why put „.»,«=. uc "Are you so anxious for me to be jone?" "Nay, but three days is a long time. Much may happen In It." "I had almost hoped that much might happen 1 auswered softly. She looked at me, and then her eyes fell. I have ever understood that it is good sign with women. "You led me to hope so when we parted last night," said. "I made a confession which I shall never make any other woman. I grant it might lave angered you, yet it seemed not to Jo so." "Indeed. I was not angry." "And now?" "Now I think only of your safety, though I doubt whether you are not roing to greater danger in Yadasara. But three days give' opportunity to four enemies. They could watch for rou. You must not wait. You must ro tonight Within your prison"—and he pointed to the room where I had jeen nursed so tenderly—"you will tad-- a peasant's dress. Your man D'Byan says that so It will be safest for yotf to go, and I trust bis wit lasar, send one of the guards to at tend the knight Return quickly, Sir Verrall, for midnight will not be long in coming." I was not long in returning to her Iressed in my peasant's garb, but I retained my sword. Jasar did not ome back to the princess with me. The priest bad quick understanding, for which I was duly thankful. "Sit by me," she said. "I would not let you go if there were any other way. But there is none, for the door which leads to the world beyond Is secret one." "But if I find the key?" "If it Is the only way open, I"— "Yes?" "You may ask me again if I will :ome." "Be sure I shall not return to that Dther world alone She let her hand rest lightly on my irm, but I fancied there was a soft aress In it. "And be sure I shall think well be fore I answer Ah, no, do not speak tvords will not convince me. I have bad leisure to note how much value here is in words." "You are thinking of the Lady Al Irida?" She smiled "Perhaps. Is it strange, since you oved her first?" "I never loved her. It was your treatment of me that made me seem to. Your cold reception stung me, al though I had no right to expect any other, and when a man loves he grows desperate. You cared nothing for me, "BR SURE I SHALL NOT RETURN TO Tn\T OTHER WORLD ALONE." and, fool that I was, I tried to make jou believe that I cared nothing for $-ou." "And, in truth, you succeeded." "Why did you receive me so coldly? looked for gladness in your eyes after the tournament" "I had a secret to keep." "E\cn then?" I asked. "The princess could have smiled the woman dared not I was afraid of rou, of myself, of all the world." "Do you still doubt me?" "I am waiting to be convinced." "Lady Aldrida came to me after the council and accused me of being false," I said. "She s*poke most bitterly." "And you soothed her?" "I fear not I told her that imagina tion had played too great a part with her and that I had said no more to her than many others had done and will do again to so pretty a lady." "And she left you amicably?" "No—vowing vengeance." The princess started. "She cannot harm me," I said. "To day has proved my friends, and they have sworn to protect your highness." "I have no fear. What do you fear for me?" "Because I love you I fear all things. Do you know that it Is whispered in the city that I seek to become a king In Drussenland?" "Who whispers It?" "I know not who started it. but I heard it when I first entered tne hall today, and Lady Aldrida had heard it for she said prying eyes might look into even the princess' garden." She turned sharply as if expecting to find that we were being watched now. "It is well that you go tonight," she said suddenly. "You regret what you said last night?" I asked. "Perhaps, for your sake. It would be well if I did not re- turn. off your going for three days?" she "I do not regret I have said you asked. 'must return.'' A mrepiiui ,T~.,„.,~^..yV 5 ^p^^p" could not answer her, for Jasar mtgred. "All is in readiness, your highness." "We will come. Leave us a mo ment You will depart by a secret way, Sir Verrall, by a door which opens into the woods that touch the outer walls. The woods lie along the spur of the hill, so that you will pass the camp unnoticed. Two good horses await you, and for the rest your wit must serve. Go warily, for my sake. 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