The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-11

company, who looked glum enough, well
knowing that the episode they had wit
messed meant, in all probability, red war
let loose down the smiling valley of the
Moselle. left the Ritter-selle.
Now that the council is duly con-
vened in regular order" said Count
Winneburg, when the others had seated
themselves round the fable, what ques-
tons of state come up for discussion
For a moment there was no answer to
this query, the delegates looking ut one
another speechless. But ut last Baron
Beilstein Struggling his shoulder, said
dryly:
'.Indeed. my lord count, | think the
time for talk is past and L suggested
that we all look closely to the strengthen
ing of our walls. which are like to be
tested before long by the Lion of Trevcs.
II may have been unwise, Winneburg,
to have used the archbishop so roughly,
he being unaccustomed to athletic eXer-
else. but, let the consequences be what
they may, for one will stand by YOU
and |, and l, and !. and t. cried the
others. with the exception of the knight
of Ilhrcnburc, who. living as he did
near the town of CoblcntZ, was learned
in the law. and not SO ready as some of
his comrades to speak first and think
afterwards.
MY good friends" cried their presd-
ing officer. quite evidently deeply moved
by his token of their fealty, what /
have done, have done, be it wise. or
the reverse, and the results must fall on
my head alone No words of mine can
remove the dust of the floor from the
archbishop's cloak. so. if he comes, let
him come. | shall give him as hearty a
welcome as it is in my power to render.
All | ask is fair play, and those who
stand aside shall see good fight. 1t is
not right that hasty act of mine
should embroil the peaceful countryside,
so if 1'reves comes on l shall meet him
alone. here in my castle. But, neverthe-
less, ] thank you all for your offers Of
help: that is all except the knight of
Ehrenburg. whose tender of assistance,
if made, has escaped my ear
The knight of Ehrenburg had up to
that moment been studying the texture
of the oaken table on which his flagon
sat Now he looked up and spoke slowly:
~ made no proffer Of help" he said,
''necausc none will be needed, / believe,
so far as the archbishop of Treves is
concerned The count, moment ago,
said that all he wanted was fair play,
but that is just what he has no right
to expect from his present antagonist.
The archbishop will make no attempt on
this castle; he will act much more subtly
than that The archbishop will lay the
redress of his quarrel upon the should
ers of the emperor, and it is the oncom-
ing of the impartial troops YOU have to
fear and not an invasion from Treves.
Against the forces of the emperor we
are powerless. united or divided. In
deed. his majesty may call upon us to
invest this castle. whereupon, if we re-
fuse, we are rebels, who have broken
our oaths."
"What, then. is there left for me to
dof" asked the count. dismayed at the
coil in which he had involved himself.
Nothing" advised the knight of
! Fhrenbure. except apologizing abjectly
to the archbishop. and that not too soon.
for his lordship may not accept it Bnt
when he formally demands it / should
render it to him on his own terms, and