The Elbert County tribune., 1906-07-05

lenge and Max Ulrichs weird answer
Ia 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, man as
tall as himself. grey and gaunt, who
fronted the company with eyes ban
daged and hands tied behind his back
| Max Ulrich had 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. II
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
ments with the closest attention.
He says" she began to translate,
that he met this man on the further
side. He said that he had message
for Isle Rugen, and refused to turn
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
ho, 70
grey badgers brush of upright stub
BILE rose slowly above high narrow
brow, like laid corn that dries in the
sun.
"Alt Pikkerl" said Joan of the
Sword Hand, starting to her feet.
And Alt Pikker 1t 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 harried, 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 AIT 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.
ITO save Kernsberg from sack by
the Muscovites, Maurice Won Lynar
went to Courtland in the guise of the
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
garet 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 Courtland.
Impossible!"
"And why should he not?" his moth
er cried out.
Il expected it from the first!" quoth
Joan of the Sword Hand. disdainful
of their masculine ignorance.
WELL" put in Alt Pikker. "at all
events, he hath married the Princess
Or she has married him, which is the
same thing!"
but why? We knew nothing of
this! He told us nothing. We thought
he went for our lady's sake to Court
landl Why did he marry herr" cried
severally Won Orseln and the Plassen-
burg captains.
"Why?" said Theresa, the mother,
with assurance. Because he loved
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
being told, and even when 1t was
ended for space none spoke. But
Theresa smiled well pleased and said
in her heart. Il thank God! My son
also shall meet Henry the Lion face
to face and not be ashamed"
After that they made their plans.
81 will CO." said Conrad. "for l have
infirence with my brother-or. If not
with him, at least with the folk of
CORTLAND. We will stop this heathen-
ish abomination."