The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-03-31
ACopyrlghl lsss. lsoo by s. R. Croekettl
CHAPTER XIII.
Joan Stands Within Her Danger.

joan Stands Within Her Danger.
So soon as Werner Won Orseln re-
turned to Castle Kernsberg with news
of the forcing of the ALA and the
overwhelming numbers of the Musco-
vite hordes, the sad-eyed Duchess OF
Hohenstein became once more Joan
of the Sword Hand.
The invading army must have num-
bered thirty thousand, at least. There
were, all told, about two thousand IN
Kernsberg Won Orseln, indeed. could
easily have raised more. Nay, they
would have come in OF themselves by
hundreds to fight for their Duchess,
but the little town could not reed
, more.
When Werner Won Orseln and Peter
Balta met the invader at the fords OK
the ALA, Maurice Won Lynar and Alt
Pikker had remained with Joan, nomi-
nally to assist her dispositions, out
really to form check upon the I'M
petuosity OF her temper.
| Now Won Orseln was back again.
The fords of the ALA were forced. and
the fighting strength of kernsberg
united ltSelI IN tHe EdSlc . ->SSS ~
make its final stand.
Aloft on the highest ramparts there
was a terrace walk which the Spar
hawk much affected. specially when he
was on guard at night. 1t looked tow
ards the east, and from it the hrst
glimpse of the Courtlanders would be
obtained.
Presently the chief captains step
was heard on the stone turnpike.
"Ha, Sparhawk." he cried, this Is
cold cheer. Why could We not have
talked comfortably in hall, with
beaker of mead at ones elbow
Il wanted to speak with you on
matter we cannot mention elsewhere,
said Maurice Won Lynar.
"How long can we hold out If they
besiege us?"
Two months, certainly-with luck.
three."
"And what of the Duchess Joan?'
persisted the young man.
why, in the same time she will be
dead or wed." said Won Orseln, with
an affectation of carelessness easily
seen through.
I'VE must get her away to place
Of safety" said the young man. Yon
Orseln laughed.
"Get her? Who would persuade or
compel our lady? Whittier would she
go? Would she be safer there than
here? Would the Courtlander not find
out in twenty four hours that there
was no Joan of the Sword Hand in
Kernsberg, and follow her trail?"
I'VE must persuade her-capture
her, compel her. II necessary. Kerns-
berg cannot for long hold out against
both the Muscovite and the Court
lander"
WHAT Capture Joan of the Sword
Hand and carry her of? The mead
buzzes in the boys head. He grows
dotty with anxiety and too much hard
ale"
"Von Orseln." said the youth, with
simple earnestness, not needing his
taunts, Il have thought deeply. l see
no way out of it but this. Our lady
will eagerly go on reconnaissance il
you represent it as necessary. You
must take ten good men and ride
north, far north, even to the edges Of
the Baltic, to a place l know OF, which
none but ! and one other can find.
There, with few trusty fellows to
guard her, she will be safe till the
push of the times is over"
But how" said Won Orseln, medi-
tating, will you prevent her absence
being known? The passage OF SO
large party may easily be traced and
remembered Though our folk are
true enough and loyal enough. sooner
or later what is known in the Castle
IL known in the town. and what is