Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-04-13
CHAPTER Viii Continued J

''On the contrary" answered the 9th
er. with ne sign of anger or surprise
your reasoning is :ll that could he de
sired Why should | deny what YOU
already know: | was aware. of course
that YOU knew when first learned his
Jester WAS III the castle Frankly, |
am not the duke to YOU.
but with Francis and the court :"
suggested the fool uplifting his hrows
Il am the duke and such remain.
You understand: :.
"Perfcctly. my lord replied the Jest
er. Struggling his shoulders. Bat
since | am not the king nor one of the
courtiers. whom for the time being
have l the honor of addressing? But
perhaps | am overnQuistve."
Not at all said the other. with
mockinV ceremony. You are whim-
steal fellow Besides. | am taken with
a man who stands near death without
fiinchng., TO tell YOU the truth. our
truce is somewhat +" my liking. There
are few men who would have dared
what you have tonight And. although
me from this bottle on the table here?
I'm tired of cereuonieS of rank. and
would clink a glass in private with
merry fellow. What say YOU
And leaning over. he filled two large
goh,ets with tie rich beverage from a
great flask placed ON the stand for his
convenience. His face lighted with
inji l,,,t l,n1 ND n
vial. free manner that of Il trooper in
his cups cleaned a furtive. guarded
look. as thou@l he We're studying and
testing his man
"I'm for a free life some fighting.
but snug walls around for companion-
ship" he continued. Look at NY sol
dierS now: raste:ing. love making.
Charles: Francis: Not one OF the
troop would leave me for emperor or
king. Not one but would follow me
where ambition leads Holding up
the glass. he locked into the depths of
the thick burgundy. why. ii likely
fellow like you should carry gleam-
ing blade. not wooden sword.
know your ,luke-a man Of lineage. a
string of titles long rs my arll-an un-
derling of the emperor. while I'-clos-
ing his great Jaw firmly-"owe al
legialCe TO no man or monarch. when
is the same thing. Drink, lad; I'm
pleased | did not kill YOU
"And l." laughed the plaisant. "con-
gratulate myself YOU are still allve.
for tie wine is cXcellent"'
Still alive" exclaimed the kings
guest boisterous,y. although dark
shadow crossed his glance. I'm scar
| red from head to foot. and my hide is
as tough as
"a boar's:" tapping his chin with
| the fools head on his wand.
"Ah. you will have your Jest re-
| torted the host of the occasion good
| naturedly. Its bred in the bone. A
| quality for a soldier Next to courage
is that fine sense of humor which
| makes man q bon comrade. Put
down your craven image. lad; you
were made to carry arms, not baubles
' Put it down, | say. and touch glasses
| with Louis of Pfalz Crfeld.'
| Lord Hochfels.. exclaimed the jest
or ixedly regarding. the man whose
| name was known throughout Europe
for his reckless bravery. his persona
| resources and lis indomitable pride OF
| love of freedom and independence
which held him aloof from emperor ol
monarch and made him peer and lead
er among the many intractable spirits
| of the Austrian country who had n0
vet bowed their uevkS to conquest: {
soldier Of many battles. whose thicl
walled fortress. re"t-hed pictnrosquelI
in midair OH steep mountain Top
established his security on all sides.