Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-11


 stitution of iron, the lowborn legacy What think you of such an endow ment?"
 You are far from your castle, my lord of Hochfels," commented the jest CT absently, unmindful of a question he felt not called upon to answer.
 And yet as safe as in my own mountain nest" retorted the fret baron or freebooter indifferently. "Who would betray me? There is not a trooper of mine but would die for his master. You would not denounce me because-but why enumerate the req. sons? hold you in the palm of my hand, and when I close my fingers there's the end of you
 But where-allow me, the wine has a rare flavor and he reached for the flask.
 Drink freely returned the pretend CT. Tt is the kings own, and you are my guest. You were about to ask"-
 "Whence came the idea for this mad adventure;' said the jester. his eyes seemingly bent in admiration on the goblet he held-a half globe of crystal sustained by a golden Bacchus.
 Ideal" repeated the self called baron, with gesture of satisfaction It was more than an idea. It was an inspiration, born of that chance which points the way to greatness. The feat accomplished. all Europe will wonder at the wanton exploit At first Francis will rage. Then, seeing me impregnably intrenched, he will make the best of the marriage, especially as the groom is of royal blood. Next an alliance with the French king against the emperor. Why not? Was not Francis once ready to treat even with Solyman to defeat Charles. an overture which shocked Christendom? And while Charles energies are bent to the task of pro- tecting his country from the Turks q new leader appears. devil may care fellow-and then-and them
 He broke off abruptly, stared before him as though the fumes of wine were at last beginning to~rise to his head, toyed with his glass and drank 1t quickly at draft. What an allurins wll-o'- -the-wisp is--tomorrow." he nut tered.
 An illusive hope that reconciles us with today" answered the plaisant.
 "Illusive," cried the other. "Only for poets, dreamcrs, fools!.'
 And you, Sir Baron, are neither .one nor the other,' remarked the jester. "No philosopher, but plain soldier, who chops heads. not logic. But the in- spiration that caused you to embark upon this hot brained, pretty enter prise?'
 Upon spur of rock that overlooks the road through the mountain is set the Vulture's Nest, Sir Fool" began the advcnturer in voice at once confident and arrogant. At least so the time honOred fortress of Hochfels is dis paragingly designated by the people. AS the road is the only pass through
 
 more or less in contact with the people who go by our doors Being thus forced through the situation of our fortress into the proximity of the travelling public, we have from time to time made such sorties as are practiced by a beleaguered garrison and have in consequence taken prisoners many traf- fickers and traders whose goods and chattels were worthy of our attention as spells of war. Generally we have confined our operations to migratory merchants. who carry more of value and cause less trouble than the emper or's soldiers or the kings troopers, but occasionally we brush against one of in practice in laying our blades to the grindstone and also to show we are soldiers. not robbers.
 Which remains to be proved" mur- mured the attentive jester. Your par don. noble lord.' as the other half started from his chair: ''let me fill your glass. Iris pity to neglect such royal wine. Proceed with your story. Come we presently to the inspiration:"
 At once" answered the apparently appeased master of the fortress. wip- ing his lips. "One day our western outpost brought in a messenger, and when we had stripped the knave. upon him we found miniature and a let ter from the princess to the duke The latter was prettily writ. with here and there a rhyme. and moved me mighti. ly. The eagle hath it's mate. l thought, but the vultur of Hochfcls is single. and this reflection. with the sight of the picture and that right. fair script, saddened nc.
 And tEen, on sudden. came the inspiration. Why not play a hand in this international marriage Charles and Francis were bringing about! l con- manded the only road across the noun tain. therefore did command the situ- atiOn. The emperor and the king should be but the wooden figures. and l would pull tic strings to make them dance. I,se duke. yoar master. why should he be more than a name: The princess letter told me she had never seen her her-cthcd. What easier than to redoublc the sentries in tine valley. make prisoners of the messengers. clap them in ,h. fortress dungeons. read the missives and then dispatch them to their respective destinations by men of my own
 Then that was the reason why on my way through the mountains your knaves attacked meT'' said the listener quickly.