The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-01-22

daughter of Henry the Lioni"
The tall woman turned without bow
ing and looked at the girl.
Il am the mother of Maurice Won
l.ynar, and this is the Isle Rugen!"
she said simply. as if the answer wero
i~ii-sufficient.
The woman in the crimson cloak
waited for Joan to be assisted from
the boat, and then, without a word of
greeting, led the way up a little sand
ed path TO a gate which opened in a
high stone wall. Through this she
admitted her guests, whereupOn they
found themselves in an enclosure
with towers and battlements rising
dimly all round.
Then came a long. grey building,
another door. low and creaking heav-
lily on unaccustomed hinges, a sudden
burst of light, and lol the wanderers
found themselves within a lighted
hall, wherein were many stands of
arms and armor, mingled with skins
OF wild animals, wide-spreading, many
iDed antlers, and other records of
the chase.
The who had been their
guide now set down her lantern and
allowed the hood of her cloak to slide
from her head. Werner and his two
male companions, the captains of Plas-
senburg, fell back a little at the appa-
rition. They had expected to see
some bag or crone, fit companion of
their wordless guide.
Instead, a woman stood before them,
not girlish certainly. nor yet in he
first bloom of her youth. but glorious
even among fair women by reason of
the ripeness of her beauty.
The mother of that young paladin
their S~parhawk? 1t seemed impossi-
BILE, This woman was too youthful,
too fair, too bountiful in her gracious
beauty to be the mother of such a
tense young yew-bow as Maurice Won
Lynar.
my lady joan" she said, in the
same thrilling voice, my son has sent
me word that till a certain great dan
ger is overpast you are to abide with
me here on the Isle Rugen. live
alone, save for this one man. dumb
Max Ulrich, long since cruelty MANNED
at the hands of his enemies. I can
offer o no suite of attendants be-
yond those 0 bring with you. Our
safety depends on the secrecy of our
abode, as for many years my own life
has done | ask you, therefore. to re-
spect our privacy, as also to impose
the same upon your soldiers"
The Duchess Joan bowed slightly.
CAS- you doubtless know, | have not
come hither of my own free will"
she answered %haughtily; but | thank
you, madam, for your hospitality.
Rest assured that the secrecy of vour
dwelling shall not be endangered by
met"
Then with a large gesture the elder
indicated the way up the broad stair
case, and throwing her W cloak
completely off she caught it across
her arm as it dropped and SO fol
lowed Joan out of sight.
e = 3 = =
Instinct was so strong that, as soon
as the women had withdrawn them.
selves upstairs, the three captains
started towards the door to make the
round of the defences. The Wordless
Man accompanied them unasked. The
square enclosure in which they found
themselves seemed liker an old fortified
farmhouse of grange than a regular
castle, though the walls were thick
as those of any fortress, being loon
holed for musketry, and lin those
days of bombards few and heavy) can.
able of standing a siege in good ear.
nest against a small army.
The three captains returned through
the hall into a long dining room vault.
ed above with beams of solid oak
Curtains were drawn close all about
the walls. In the recesses were many
stands of arms of good and recent
construction, and opening a cupboard
with the freedom of a man at arms.
Boris saw ramrods. powder, n shot
arranged in order, as neatly as though
he had done it himself, than which
no better could be said.
In a little while the sound of foot
steps descending the nearer staircase
was heard. The Wordless Man moved
to the door and held it open, as Joan
came in with a proud, high look on
her face. Won Lynar's mother en-
tered Immediately after her guest,
and it needed nothing more subtle
than Werner Won Orseln's masculine
acumen to discern that no word had
been spoken between them while they
were alone.
With a queenly gesture the hostess mo-
toned her guest to the place of honor,
and indicating that the three soldiers
were to take their places at the other
side of the table. Werner Won Orseln
moved automatically 10 obey, but
Jorian and Boris were already at the
sideboard, busting platters and max
ing them ready to serve the meal.
Il thank you, madam said Jorian.
Were we here as ENJOYS of u mas.
ter, Prince Hugo of Plassenburg, we
would gladly and proudly sit at meat
with you. But we are volunteers, and
have all our lives been men at arms