Year: 1873




that Ziegenhain was not in the treaty,
and that he never would surrender it ex-
cept on the express command OF his
master the Landgraf, when he should
have been restored to liberty.


This answer was reported to the En-
peror. He could not insist on the des-
truction of Ziegenhain, as it was really
not mentioned in the treaty, but he
would not suffer the Landgraf to re-
turn to his land until he had promised
that the commandant, who had been
guilty of resisting the will of the
Imperial Commissioner, should be hing
IN claims. These were the express
words of the agreement.


Now the Landgraf had returned, and
peace had been established all over the
country. Ziegenhain, unconquered, had
opened her gates at last; the command
ant had been deprived of his command
and was in confinement; and Count
Reinhard of Solms, with an escort of
Spanish troops, had arrived to see the
agreement carried out. The Landgraf
himself was also in town, but the good
citizens of Ziegenhain had not shown
much joy on his arrival. The general
feeling among them was indignation that
the brave commander, who had saved
their town from the savage power of the
Spanish soldiery-the noble, resolute,
unselfish man whom they had learned to
trust and honor during time of trial
the faithful and loyal soldier who had
been so nobly true to his prince, should
be delivered up by that prince to an ig-
nominious death. 1t was ungenerous, it
was ungrateful, they said and his own
pressing need was no excuse.


And SO, as they stood massed in front
of the gateway, where Count Solms
had ordered that the execution should
take place, they muttered angry exclam-
ations, and it was only the presence of
the Spanish troops which kept them from
attempting rescue.


There was stir among the group
under the archway. The Landgraf
Philip appeared, with Heinz Won Luder
by his side. There was a breathless
silence in the crowd as he stepped for
ward and spoke few words, addressing
himself rather to Count Solms than to
the people, but audible by all.


81 am forced" he said, "to a sad
necessity. To gain release from the ban
of the Empire l am compelled to hang in
chains this my most faithful servant.
But to show that l honor his fidelity,
the chains shall be, not of iron, but of
pure gold"


The Imperial Commissioner muttered
something which was understood to i'm
ply his consent. Iron chains were not
mentioned in the treaty. The Landgraf
now turned to Luder, and threw around
him heavy gold chain, such as were
often presented by princes of his time
to those whom they wished to honor.


At sign from the Landgraf this chain
was fastened to rope which passed over
a pulley in the apparatus under the arch.
The crowd outside saw the figure of
Luder suspended for a moment in the
air by the gold chain under his arms,
then slowly descending again. As soon
as his feet touched the earth the Land
graf embraced him, while the crowd
burst forth into loud cheer.


The Imperial Commissioner, however,
was not so well satisfied. He began to
demonstrate with the Landgraf, saying
that he had not fulfilled the agreement,
and he should report accordingly.


Philip the Magnanimous turned to
him with scornful Indignation flashing
from his eyes.


eff you would interpret the Emperor's
words otherwise than have done, be-
gone from my presence, sir The En-
peror can but have desired to prove me,
that it might be seen whether I know
how to honor true fidelity"


Thus it was that Heinz Won Luder,
the defender of Ziegenhain, was hung in