The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-07-07

NOW IN" chlef captain sat.
Thus they were sitting when there
came a clamor at the outer door, the
noise OF voices, then a soldiers chal-
lense and Max Ulrich's weird answer
"a sound almost like the howl of
wolf cut off short in his throat by
the hand that strangles him.
There he is at last" cried all in
the dining hall or grange
They waited the long moment of sus-
pense till the door behind Werner
was thrust open and the dumb man
came in, drenched and dripping. He
was holding one by the arm, a man as
tall as himself, grey and gaunt. who
fronted the company with eyes BAN
dased and hands tied behind his back.
Max Clrich had a sharp knife in his
hand with thin and slightly curved
blade, and as he thrust the pinioned
man before him into the full light of
the candles he made signs that, if
his lady wished it, he was prepared
TO dispatch the prisoner on the spot.
His lips moved rapidly and he seemed
TO be forming words and sentences.
His mistress followed these move
mehts with the closest attention.
He says. she began to translate,
that he met this man on the further
side. He said that he had a message
for Isle Rugen. and refused to 'urn
back on any condition. SO Max blind
folded bound and gagged him. he be
ing willing to be bound. And now he
waits our pleasure"
Let him be unloosed.' said John
gazing eagerly at the prisoner, and
Theresa made the sign.
Stolidly Ulrich unbound the broad
bandage from the mans eyes. and a
grey badgers brush of upright stub
bic rose slowly above a high narrow
brow, like laid corn that dries in the
sun.
Alt Pikker." said Joan of the
Sword Hand. starting to her feet.
And Alt Pikker it surely was.
But the late prisoner did not speak
at once. though his captors stood back
as though TO permit him to explain
himself. He was still bound and gag
ged. Discovering which. Max in a
very philosophical and leisurely man
ner assisted him to relieve himself of
rolled kerchief which had been plac
ed in his mouth.
Even then his throat refused its
Office till Werner Won Orseln handed
him a great cup of wine from which
he drank deeply.
Speak" said Joan. What disas-
ter has brought you here? Is kerns-
berg taken?"
The Eagles Nest is harred, my
lady. but that is not what hath
brought me hither!"
Have they found out this my
prison? Are they coming to capture
me?"
Neither" returned Alt Pikker.
Maurice Won Lynar is in the hand of
his cruel enemies. and on the day
after tomorrow at sunrise. he is to be
torn to pieces by wild horses"
Why? Wherefore? In what place?
Who would dare?" came from all
about the table; but the mother of
the young man sat silent as if she
had not heard.
To save Kernsberg from sack by
the Muscovites. Maurice Won Lynar
Lady Joan. At the fords of the ALA
We delivered him up!'
He went for my sake" moaned
Joan. He is to die for mel"
Nay" corrected Alt Pikker. 'he is
to die for wedding the Princess Mar
saret of Courtland."
Again they cried out upon him in
utmost astonishment-tha is. all the
men
Maurice Won Lynar has married
the Princess Margaret Of CourtIand.
Impossible."
And why should he not? his moth
er cried out
I expected 1t from the first" quoth
Joan of the Sword Hand, disdainful
of heir masculine ignorance.
Well" put in Alt Pikker "at all
vents. he hath married the Princess.
Or she has married him, which is the
sane thing
But Why We knew nothing of
this. He told us nothing. W. thought
he went for our lady's sake to Court
land, Why did he marry herr" cried
seyerally Won Orseln and the Plassen-
burg captains.
Why" said Theresa. the mother.
with assurance. Because he loved
her doubtless. How? Because he was
his fathers SON.,
And Theresa being calm and still
ing the others, Alt Pikker got time to
tell his tale. There was silence in
the grange of Isle Rugen while it was
5eirg told. and even when it was
enGed for a space none spoke. But
Theresa smiled well pleased and said
in her heart, 81 thank God. My son
also shall meet Henry the Lion face
to face and not be ashamed
After that they made their plans.
q will go" said Conrad, for | have
inference with my brother-or, if not