The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-04-23

came clamOr at the outer door, the
noise of voices. then a soldiers chal-
lenge 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 lasti" 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 lolding 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 a 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
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 a 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
bandage from the mans eyes, and
grey badgers brush of upright stub
BILE rose slowly above a high narrow
brow, like laid corn that dries in the
sun.
Gait Pikkerl" said Joan of the
Sword Hand, starting to her feet.
And Alt Picker 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 i'll
very philosophical and leisurely man.
ner assisted him to relieve himself of
a 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 Alt Picker.
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 CORTLAND 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"
may" corrected Alt Picker, che is
to die for wedding the Princess Mar.
garet of Courtland!"
Again they cried out upon him in
utmost astonishment-that is, all the
men.
Maurice Won Lynar has married
the Princess Margaret of CORTLAND
Impossible!"
"And why should he not?" his moth
er cried out.
81 expected it from the first!" quoth
Joan of the Sword Hand, disdainful
of their masculine ignorance.
well" put in Alt Picker, "at ali
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
land! Why did he marry her?" CRIED
severalIy Won Orseln and the Plassen
burg captains.
"Why?" said Theresa, the mother
with assurance. Because he loved
her doubtless. How? Because he wal
his fathers son!"
And Theresa being calm and still
ing the others, Alt Picker got time Il
tell his tale. There was silence II
the grange of Isle Rugen while it wal
being told, and even when it wa
ended for a space none spoke. Blu
Theresa smiled well pleased and salt
in her heart, 81 thank God! My Sol
also shall meet Henry the Lion fac
to face and not be ashamed"
After that they made their plans.
81 will CO." said Conrad, for | hav'
influence with my brother-or, If no
} with him, at least with the folk o
, CORTLAND. We will stop this heather
= ish abomination."
, 81 will 60" said Theresa, "becaus
he is my son. God will show me
2 way to help him"
T 1--WE will all ooi" chorused the car