Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-26

The duke saw his danger, and has
tened into the keep to arm himself.
The Black Riders Of Grayelot Gas
tie had long been the terror Of the
whole country. Originally marshaled
by a Bohemian knight-errant, Sir
Raoul de Langwolf, they had grown
faom a score TO a troop of full
two hundred, and not only did they at
tack castles and villages for purpose,
Of plumber, but they had moro thar
once successfully turned their arms
against Incorporated cities. Lately
this lawless force had accepted service
under the Count do Charolais, and
John Of Luxembourg knew very well
that they would not thus appear upon
his domain without direction from
their lord and master.
BY the time the leader of the Black
Riders had reached the outer gate the
approaches to the castle had been Sc
cured, and its forces mustered to the
number of five and sixty. Of the en-
emy-ifenemies they were-ther we're
full two hundred, all strong men, and
we'll armed; and when theyhad drawn
up before the outer barbican the her
raid sounded a blast upon histrumpet,
which call the grand duke answered
in person. His secretary and the chief
Of his officers sought to dissuade him
from exposing himself, but he would
not listen.
He mounted one Of the smaller
towers in advance of the main tower
Of the barbican, in one of the most
exposed positions he could have Sc
lected, and demanded to know upon
what errsnd the troop had come. lha.
We hold not conference with your
castle walls between us" answered the
black knight, whose voice, and whose
whole bearing and stalwart presence,
John recognized as belonging to Raoul
de LangWolf. Throw open your
gates and you shall quickly know our
pleasure. If you put us to the labor
of forcing our way it shall be worse
for those who else may not suffer
At this juncture a second knight
rode up and spoke with the Bohemi-
an. He was cased in plate armor, with
his visor closed, but Zeta Bethtoni who
had come to his masters side, recog-
nized him.
"Hal p the secretary cried, clutch
ing the dukes arm. 1" that is the fend
incarnate. 1t is Burgundy's butcher,
Maillotin du Bacl He would not be
here if Charles had not planned bloody
work. l fear my lord Down !
Down.
But the note of alarm came too late.
A tall, broad-shouldered archer had
advanced with Maillotin du BAG, who,
at a sign from the latter, raised his
heavy bow, with a long, steel barbed,
finely feathere arrow adjusted to the
string, and drew to the very arrow S
head. John of Luxembourg stood
with his visor raised, and his whole
face exposed. He heard Bethtoni's
CRY, and saw the stout archer Of the
black baldric, but he was tso late to
avoid the fatal shaft. As an echo Ia
the warning came the vsngefuI twanq
of the boW-string, and the steel point.
with its following barbs, entered the
dukes right eye, crashing through tbs
bone of the orbit, and burying itseli
deep in the brain. He fell back dead
into BethtOnis arms.
The secretary bore the body down
to the pavement below, where he was
Just in season to meet a score of the
Black Riders who had gained en-
trance.
1t was not enough that the grand
duke should die. Charles had de-
creed and ordered that the whole
household should be put to the sword
and his devoted henchman, Maillotin
du BAG, was tho man to obey. The
number of the grand dukes children
was known, and Du Bac saw the ter.
rible order executed. Where he haC
found tho Prince Leon, whom he a
once recognized by his tell-tals garb
he had found another boy Of nearll
the same age, and him he was abouI
to Stay, in spite Of the tears and pray
ers Of the poor mother who chung t
him, when the Black knight Of 30
hemia came up.
What is all this9p De Langwol
demanded, as he approached.
"0h, good sirl-noble knightl-h
is my boyl-my own Leon Oh, spar,
him spare him"
PshaWl let the brat live" said tn.
I Black chief.
But this little viper is as spitefu
as a tiger" returned Du Bee
Zoundsl he came near knocking on
of my men over with a club. Loo
at him. Look at his eyes. He doean'
ask for life. | tell you he must die
If he lives, he will live to give u
trouble"
No." persisted the Bohemian
John Of Luxembourg and all hi
family are dead, and that fills tn
measure. Here, my good woman. tax
your boy, and when he is grown oil
enough to bear arms let him come {
me and | will give him service
Maillotin du Bac chafed angrily
and would have cut the boy down ha
not the Black Knight declared it t
have become a personal matter.
Strike the poor forester's boy,
said he, and you strike mel"
And 50 the life of the boy was saved
and Du BAG muttered, as he turne
away.
/ tell you that the boy will live {
give us troubled"
And his words we're prophetic.
| Eight years had passed since II
massacre Of Alsdorf, and the prime
who had instigated that wicked wor
still plotted and fought for power. II
t had not yet come to the dGcal thron