AtthedoorwayhemetMotherHilda。"Blessus，"shecried，startingbackandcrossingherself，andthen，seeingwhoitwas，duckedhimacourtesywithaspleasantasmileasherforbiddingface，withitslittledeep—seteyes，wasabletoputuponitself。
OldUrselaseemednearertotheboythananyoneelseaboutthecastle，exceptingitwashisfather，anditwasanewfounddelighttoOttotositbesideherandlistentoherquaintstories，sodifferentfromthemonkishtalesthathehadheardandreadatthemonastery。
Butonedayitwasataleofadifferentsortthatshetoldhim，andonethatopenedhiseyestowhathehadneverdreamedofbefore。
ThemellowsunlightfellthroughthewindowuponoldUrsela，asshesatinthewarmthwithherdistaffinherhandswhileOttolayclosetoherfeetuponabearskin，silentlythinkingoverthestrangestoryofabraveknightandafierydragonthatshehadjusttoldhim。SuddenlyUrselabrokethesilence。
"Littleone，"saidshe，"thouartwondrouslylikethyowndearmother；didsteverhearhowshedied？"
Nay，"saidOtto，"buttellme，Ursela，howitwas。"
"Tisstrange，"saidtheoldwoman，"thatnooneshouldhavetoldtheeinallthistime。"Andthen，inherownfashionsherelatedtohimthestoryofhowhisfatherhadsetforthuponthatexpeditioninspiteofallthatOtto’smotherhadsaid，beseechinghimtoabideathome；howhehadbeenfoullywounded，andhowthepoorladyhaddiedfromherfrightandgrief。
Ottolistenedwitheyesthatgrewwiderandwider，thoughnotallwithwonder；henolongerlayuponthebearskin，butsatupwithhishandsclasped。Foramomentortwoaftertheoldwomanhadendedherstory，hesatstaringsilentlyather。Thenhecriedout，inasharpvoice，"Andisthistruththatyoutellme，Ursela？anddidmyfatherseektorobthetownspeopleoftheirgoods？"
OldUrselalaughed。"Aye，"saidshe，"thathedidandmanytimes。Ah!me，thoseday’sareallgonenow。"Andshefetchedadeepsigh。"Thenwelivedinplentyandhadbothsilksandlinensandvelvetsbesidesinthestoreclosetsandwereabletobuygoodwinesandliveinplentyuponthebest。Nowwedressinfriezeandliveuponwhatwecangetandsometimesthatislittleenough，withnothingbetterthansourbeertodrink。Butthereisonecomfortinitall，andthatisthatourgoodBaronpaidbackthescoreheowedtheTrutz—Drachenpeoplenotonlyforthat，butforallthattheyhaddonefromtheveryfirst。"
ThereuponshewentontotellOttohowBaronConradhadfulfilledthepledgeofrevengethathehadmadeAbbotOtto，howhehadwatcheddayafterdayuntilonetimehehadcaughttheTrutz—Drachenfolk，withBaronFrederickattheirhead，inanarrowdefilebackoftheKaiserburg；ofthefiercefightthatwastherefought；ofhowtheRoderburgsatlastfled，leavingBaronFrederickbehindthemwounded；ofhowhehadkneeledbeforetheBaronConrad，askingformercy，andofhowBaronConradhadanswered，"Aye，thoushalthavesuchmercyasthoudeservest，"andhadtherewithraisedhisgreattwo—handedswordandlaidhiskneelingenemydeadatoneblow。
PoorlittleOttohadneverdreamedthatsuchcrueltyandwickednesscouldbe。Helistenedtotheoldwoman’sstorywithgapinghorror，andwhenthelastcameandshetoldhim，withasmackofherlips，howhisfatherhadkilledhisenemywithhisownhand，hegaveagaspingcryandsprangtohisfeet。Justthenthedoorattheotherendofthechamberwasnoisilyopened，andBaronConradhimselfstrodeintotheroom。Ottoturnedhishead，andseeingwhoitwas，gaveanothercry，loudandquavering，andrantohisfatherandcaughthimbythehand。
"Oh，father!"hecried，"oh，father!Isittruethatthouhastkilledamanwiththyownhand？"
"Aye，"saidtheBaron，grimly，"itistrueenough，andIthinkmeIhavekilledmanymorethanone。Butwhatofthat，Otto？
Thoumustgetoutofthosefoolishnotionsthattheoldmonkshavetaughtthee。HereintheworlditisdifferentfromwhatitisatSt。Michaelsburg；hereamanmusteitherslayorbeslain。"
ButpoorlittleOtto，withhisfacehiddeninhisfather’srobe，criedasthoughhisheartwouldbreak。"Oh，father!"hesaid，againandagain，"itcannotbe—itcannotbethatthouwhoartsokindtomeshouldhavekilledamanwiththineownhands。"
Then："IwishthatIwerebackinthemonasteryagain；Iamafraidouthereinthegreatwideworld；perhapssomebodymaykillme，forIamonlyaweaklittleboyandcouldnotsavemyownlifeiftheychosetotakeitfromme。"
BaronConradlookeddownuponOttoallthiswhile，drawinghisbushyeyebrowstogether。Oncehereachedouthishandasthoughtostroketheboy’shair，butdrewitbackagain。
Turningangrilyupontheoldwoman，"Ursela，"saidhe，"thoumusttellthechildnomoresuchstoriesasthese；heknowestnotatallofsuchthingsasyet。Keepthytonguebusywiththeoldwoman’stalesthathelovestoheartheetell，andleaveitwithmetoteachhimwhatbecomethatrueknightandaVuelph。"
Thatnightthefatherandsonsattogetherbesidetheroaringfireinthegreatball。"Tellme，Otto，"saidtheBaron，"dostthouhatemeforhavingdonewhatUrselatoldtheetodaythatI
did？"
Ottolookedforawhileintohisfather’sface。"Iknownot，"
saidheatlast，inhisquaint，quietvoice，"butmethinksthatIdonothatetheeforit。"
TheBarondrewhisbushybrowstogetheruntilhiseyestwinkledoutofthedepthsbeneaththem，thenofasuddenhebrokeintoagreatloudlaugh，smitinghishornypalmwithasmackuponhisthigh。
VII。
TheRedCockCrowsonDrachenhausen。
TherewasanewemperorinGermanywhohadcomefromafarawaySwisscastle；CountRudolphofHapsburg，agood，honestmanwithagood，honest，homelyface，butbringingwithhimasternsenseofjusticeandofright，andadeterminationtoputdownthelawlessnessofthesavageGermanbaronsamongwhomhehadcomeasEmperor。
OnedaytwostrangerscamegallopingupthewindingpathtothegatesoftheDragon’shouse。Ahornsoundedthinandclear，aparleywasheldacrossthechasmintheroadbetweenthetwostrangersandtheporterwhoappearedatthelittlewicket。ThenamessengerwassentrunningtotheBaron，whopresentlycamestridingacrosstheopencourt—yardtothegatewaytoparleywiththestrangers。
Thetwoborewiththemafoldedparchmentwithagreatredsealhangingfromitlikeaclotofblood；itwasamessagefromtheEmperordemandingthattheBaronshouldcometotheImperialCourttoanswercertainchargesthathadbeenbroughtagainsthim，andtogivehisbondtomaintainthepeaceoftheempire。
Onebyonethosebaronswhohadbeencarryingontheirprivatewars，orhadbeendespoilingtheburgherfolkintheirtrafficfromtowntotown，andagainstwhomcomplainthadbeenlodged，weresummonedtotheImperialCourt，wheretheywerecompelledtopromisepeaceandtoswearallegiancetotheneworderofthings。Allthosewhocamewillinglywereallowedtoreturnhomeagainaftergivingsecurityformaintainingthepeace；allthosewhocamenotwillinglywereeitherbroughtinchainsorrootedoutoftheirstrongholdswithfireandsword，andtheirroofsburnedovertheirheads。
NowitwasBaronConrad’sturntobesummonedtotheImperialCourt，forcomplainthadbeenlodgedagainsthimbyhisoldenemyofTrutz—Drachen—BaronHenry—thenephewoftheoldBaronFrederickwhohadbeenslainwhilekneelinginthedustoftheroadbackoftheKaiserburg。
NooneatDrachenhausencouldreadbutMasterRudolph，thesteward，whowassandblind，andlittleOtto。Sotheboyreadthesummonstohisfather，whilethegrimBaronsatsilentwithhischinrestinguponhisclenchedfistandhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherintoathoughtfulfrownashegazedintothepalefaceofhisson，whosatbytherudeoakentablewiththegreatparchmentspreadoutbeforehim。
Shouldheanswerthesummons，orscornitashewouldhavedoneundertheoldemperors？BaronConradknewnotwhichtodo；pridesaidonethingandpolicyanother。TheEmperorwasamanwithanironhand，andBaronConradknewwhathadhappenedtothosewhohadrefusedtoobeytheimperialcommands。Soatlasthedecidedthathewouldgotothecourt，takingwithhimasuitableescorttosupporthisdignity。
ItwaswithnearlyahundredarmedmenclatteringbehindhimthatBaronConradrodeawaytocourttoanswertheimperialsummons。Thecastlewasstrippedofitsfightingmen，andonlyeightremainedbehindtoguardthegreatstonefortressandthelittlesimple—wittedboy。
Itwasasadmistake。
ThreedayshadpassedsincetheBaronhadleftthecastle，andnowthethirdnighthadcome。Themoonwashangingmidwayinthesky，whiteandfull，foritwasbarelypastmidnight。
Thehighprecipitousbanksoftherockyroadthrewadenseblackshadowintothegullybelow，andinthatcrookedinkylinethatscarredthewhitefaceofthemoonlitrocksabandofsomethirtymenwerecreepingslowlyandstealthilynearerandnearertoCastleDrachenhausen。Attheheadofthemwasatall，slenderknightcladinlightchainarmor，hisheadcoveredonlybyasteelcaporbascinet。
Alongtheshadowtheycrept，withonlynowandthenafaintclinkorjingleofarmortobreakthestillness，formostofthosewhofollowedthearmedknightwerecladinleathernjerkins；onlyoneortwowearingevensomuchasasteelbreast—
platebywayofarmor。
Soatlasttheyreachedthechasmthatyawnedbeneaththeroadway，andtheretheystopped，fortheyhadreachedthespottowardwhichtheyhadbeenjourneying。ItwasBaronHenryofTrutz—DrachenwhohadthuscomeinthesilenceofthenighttimetotheDragon’shouse，andhisvisitbodednogoodtothosewithin。
TheBaronandtwoorthreeofhismentalkedtogetherinlowtones，nowandthenlookingupatthesheerwallthattoweredabovethem。
"Yonderistheplace，LordBaron，"saidoneofthosewhostoodwithhim。"Ihavescannedeveryfootofthewallatnightforaweekpast。Anwegetnotinbythatway，wegetnotinatall。A
keeneye，atrueaim，andaboldmanareallthatweneed，andthebusinessisdone。"Hereagainalllookedupwardatthegraywallabovethem，risingupinthesilentnightair。
Highalofthungthewoodenbartizanorwatch—tower，clingingtothefaceoftheouterwallandloomingblackagainstthepaleskyabove。Threegreatbeamspiercedthewall，anduponthemthewoodentowerrested。Themiddlebeamjuttedoutbeyondtheresttothedistanceoffiveorsixfeet，andtheendofitwascarvedintotherudesemblanceofadragon’shead。
"So，good，"saidtheBaronatlast；"thenletusseeifthyplanholds，andifHansSchmidt’saimistrueenoughtoearnthethreemarksthatIhavepromisedhim。Whereisthebag？"
OneofthosewhostoodnearhandedtheBaronaleathernpouch，theBaronopeneditanddrewoutaballoffinethread，anotheroftwine，acoilofstoutrope，andagreatbundlethatlooked，untilitwasunrolled，likeacoarsefish—net。Itwasaropeladder。Whilethesewerebeingmadeready，HansSchmidt，athick—set，low—browed，broad—shoulderedarcher，strunghisstoutbow，andcarefullychoosingthreearrowsfromthoseinhisquiver，hestuckthempointdownwardintheearth。Unwindingtheballofthread，helaiditlooselyinlargeloopsuponthegroundsothatitmightruneasilywithouthitching，thenhetiedtheendofthethreadtightlyaroundoneofhisarrows。Hefittedthearrowtothebowanddrewthefeathertohisear。
Twang!rangthebowstring，andthefeatheredmessengerflewwhistlinguponitserrandtothewatch—tower。Theveryfirstshaftdidthework。
"Good，"saidHansSchmidt，thearcher，inhisheavyvoice，"thethreemarksaremine，LordBaron。"
Thearrowhadfallenoverandacrossthejuttingbeambetweenthecarveddragon’sheadandthebartizan，carryingwithitthethread，whichnowhungfromabove，glimmeringwhiteinthemoonlightlikeacobweb。
Therestwasaneasytaskenough。Firstthetwinewasdrawnuptoandoverthebeambythethread，thentheropewasdrawnupbythetwine，andlastofalltheropeladderbytherope。Thereithunglikeathin，slenderblacklineagainstthesilentgraywalls。
"Andnow，"saidtheBaron，"whowillgofirstandwinfiftymarksforhisown，andclimbtheropeladdertothetoweryonder？"Thosearoundhesitated。"Istherenonebraveenoughtoventure？"saidtheBaron，afterapauseofsilence。
Astout，youngfellow，ofabouteighteenyearsofage，steppedforwardandflunghisflatleatherncapupontheground。"Iwillgo，myLordBaron，"saidhe。
"Good，"saidtheBaron，"thefiftymarksarethine。Andnowlisten，ifthoufindestnooneinthewatch—tower，whistlethus；
ifthewatchmanbeathispost，seethatthoumakestallsafebeforethougivestthesignal。Whenallisreadytheotherswillfollowthee。Andnowgoandgoodluckgowiththee。"
Theyoungfellowspatuponhishandsand，seizingtheropes，beganslowlyandcarefullytomounttheflimsy，shakingladder。
Thosebelowhelditastightastheywereable，butneverthelessheswungbackwardandforwardandroundandroundasheclimbedsteadilyupward。Oncehestoppedupontheway，andthosebelowsawhimclutchtheladderclosetohimasthoughdizziedbytheheightandthemotionbuthesoonbeganagain，up，up，uplikesomegreatblackspider。Presentlyhecameoutfromtheblackshadowbelowandintothewhitemoonlight，andthenhisshadowfollowedhimstepbystepupthegraywalluponhisway。Atlasthereachedthejuttingbeam，andthereagainhestoppedforamomentclutchingtightlytoit。Thenexthewasuponthebeam，dragginghimselftowardthewindowofthebartizanjustabove。
Slowlyraisinghimselfuponhisnarrowfootholdhepeepedcautiouslywithin。Thosewatchinghimfrombelowsawhimsliphishandsoftlytohisside，andthenplacesomethingbetweenhisteeth。Itwashisdagger。Reachingup，heclutchedthewindowsillabovehimand，withasilentspring，seatedhimselfuponit。Thenextmomenthedisappearedwithin。Afewsecondsofsilencefollowed，thenofsuddenasharpgurglingcrybrokethestillness。Therewasanotherpauseofsilence，thenafaintshrillwhistlesoundedfromabove。
"Whowillgonext？"saidtheBaron。ItwasHansSchmidtwhosteppedforward。Anotherfollowedthearchuptheladder，andanother，andanother。LastofallwenttheBaronHenryhimself，andnothingwasleftbuttheropeladderhangingfromabove，andswayingbackandforthinthewind。
ThatnightSchwartzCarlhadbeenbousingitoverapotofyellowwineinthepantrywithhisoldcrony，MasterRudolph，thesteward；andthetwo，chattingandgossipingtogether，hadpassedthetimeawayuntillongaftertherestofthecastlehadbeenwrappedinsleep。Then，perhapsalittleunsteadyuponhisfeet，SchwartzCarlbetookhimselfhomewardtotheMelchiortower。
Hestoodforawhileintheshadowofthedoorway，gazingupintothepaleskyabovehimatthegreat，bright，roundmoon，thathunglikeabubbleabovethesharppeaksoftheroofsstandingblackasinkagainstthesky。Butallofasuddenhestartedupfromthepostagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning，andwithheadbenttooneside，stoodlisteningbreathlessly，forhetoohadheardthatsmotheredcryfromthewatch—tower。Sohestoodintently，motionlessly，listening，listening；butallwassilentexceptforthemonotonousdrippingofwaterinoneofthenooksofthecourt—yard，andthedistantmurmuroftheriverborneuponthebreathofthenightair。"MayhapIwasmistaken，"
mutteredSchwartzCarltohimself。
Butthenextmomentthesilencewasbrokenagainbyafaint，shrillwhistle；whatdiditmean？
BackoftheheavyoakendoorofthetowerwasSchwartzCarl’scross—bow，theportablewindlasswithwhichthebowstringwasdrawnback，andapouchofbolts。SchwartzCarlreachedbackintothedarkness，fumblinginthegloomuntilhisfingersmettheweapon。Settinghisfootintheironstirrupattheendofthestock，hewoundthestoutbow—stringintothenotchofthetrigger，andcarefullyfittedtheheavy，murderous—lookingboltintothegroove。
Minuteafterminutepassed，andSchwartzCarl，holdinghisarbelastinhishand，stoodsilentlywaitingandwatchinginthesharp—cut，blackshadowofthedoorway，motionlessasastonestatue。Minuteafterminutepassed。Suddenlytherewasamovementintheshadowofthearchofthegreatgatewayacrossthecourt—yard，andthenextmomentaleathern—cladfigurecreptnoiselesslyoutuponthemoonlitpavement，andstoodtherelistening，hisheadbenttooneside。SchwartzCarlknewverywellthatitwasnoonebelongingtothecastle，and，fromthenatureofhisaction，thathewasuponnogooderrand。
Hedidnotstoptochallengethesuspiciousstranger。Thetakingofanother’slifewasthoughttoosmallamatterformuchthoughtorcareinthosedays。SchwartzCarlwouldhaveshotamanforamuchsmallerreasonthanthesuspiciousactionsofthisfellow。Theleather—cladfigurestoodafinetargetinthemoonlightforacross—bowbolt。SchwartzCarlslowlyraisedtheweapontohisshoulderandtookalongandsteadyaim。Justthenthestrangerputhisfingerstohislipsandgavealow，shrillwhistle。Itwasthelastwhistlethathewastogiveuponthisearth。Therewasasharp，jarringtwangofthebow—string，thehissoftheflyingbolt，andthedullthudasitstruckitsmark。Themangaveashrill，quaveringcry，andwentstaggeringback，andthenfellallofaheapagainstthewallbehindhim。
Asthoughinanswertothecry，halfadozenmenrushedtumultuouslyoutfromtheshadowofthegatewaywhencethestrangerhadjustcome，andthenstoodinthecourt—yard，lookinguncertainlythiswayandthat，notknowingfromwhatquarterthestrokehadcomethathadlaidtheircomradelow。
ButSchwartzCarldidnotgivethemtimetodiscoverthat；therewasnochancetostringhiscumbersomeweaponagain；downheflungitupontheground。"Toarms!"heroaredinavoiceofthunder，andthenclappedtothedoorofMelchior’stowerandshotthegreatironboltswithaclangandrattle。
ThenextinstanttheTrutz—Drachenmenwerethunderingatthedoor，butSchwartzCarlwasalreadyfarupthewindingsteps。
Butnowtheotherscamepouringoutfromthegateway。"Tothehouse，"roaredBaronHenry。
Thensuddenlyaclashing，clanginguproarcrashedoutuponthenight。Dong!Dong!ItwasthegreatalarmbellfromMelchior’stower—SchwartzCarlwasathispost。
LittleBaronOttolaysleepinguponthegreatroughbedinhisroom，dreamingoftheWhiteCrossonthehillandofbrotherJohn。Byandbyheheardtheconventbellringing，andknewthattheremustbevisitorsatthegate，forloudvoicessoundedthroughhisdream。Presentlyheknewthathewascomingawake，butthoughthesunnymonasterygardengrewdimmeranddimmertohissleepingsight，theclangingofthebellandthesoundofshoutsgrewlouderandlouder。Thenheopenedhiseyes。Flamingredlightsfromtorches，carriedhitherandthitherbypeopleinthecourt—yardoutside，flashedandranalongthewallofhisroom。Hoarseshoutsandcriesfilledtheair，andsuddenlytheshrill，piercingshriekofawomanrangfromwalltowall；andthroughthenoisesthegreatbellfromfaraboveuponMelchior’stowerclashedandclangeditsharsh，resonantalarm。
Ottosprangfromhisbedandlookedoutofthewindowanddownuponthecourt—yardbelow。"DearGod!whatdreadfulthinghathhappened？"hecriedandclaspedhishandstogether。
Acloudofsmokewaspouringoutfromthewindowsofthebuildingacrossthecourt—yard，whenceadullruddyglowflashedandflickered。Strangemenwererunninghereandtherewithflamingtorches，andthenowcontinuousshriekingofwomenpiercedtheair。
Justbeneaththewindowlaythefigureofamanhalfnakedandfacedownwarduponthestones。ThensuddenlyOttocriedoutinfearandhorror，for，ashelookedwithdazedandbewilderedeyesdownintotheluridcourt—yardbeneath，asavageman，inashiningbreast—plateandsteelcap，camedraggingthedark，silentfigureofawomanacrossthestones；butwhethershewasdeadorinaswoon，Ottocouldnottell。
Andeverymomentthepulsingofthatdullredglarefromthewindowsofthebuildingacrossthecourt—yardshonemorebrightly，andtheglarefromotherflamingbuildings，whichOttocouldnotseefromhiswindow，turnedtheblack，starrynightintoaluridday。
Justthenthedooroftheroomwasburstopen，andinrushedpooroldUrsela，crazywithherterror。SheflungherselfdownuponthefloorandcaughtOttoaroundtheknees。"Saveme!"shecried，"saveme!"asthoughthepoor，palechildcouldbeofanyhelptoheratsuchatime。Inthepassagewaywithoutshonethelightoftorches，andthesoundofloudfootstepscamenearerandnearer。
Andstillthroughallthedinsoundedcontinuallytheclashandclangandclamorofthegreatalarmbell。
Theredlightflashedintotheroom，andinthedoorwaystoodatall，thinfigurecladfromheadtofootinglitteringchainarmor。Frombehindthisfierceknight，withhisdark，narrow，cruelface，itsdeep—seteyesglisteninginthelightofthetorches，crowdedsixoreightsavage，low—browed，brutalmen，whostaredintotheroomandatthewhite—facedboyashestoodbythewindowwiththeoldwomanclingingtohiskneesandprayingtohimforhelp。
"Wehavecrackedthenutandhereisthekernel，"saidoneofthemwhostoodbehindtherest，andthereuponaroarofbrutallaughterwentup。Butthecruelfaceofthearmedknightneverrelaxedintoasmile；hestrodeintotheroomandlaidhisironhandheavilyupontheboy’sshoulder。"ArtthoutheyoungBaronOtto？"saidhe，inaharshvoice。
"Aye，"saidthelad；"butdonotkillme。"
Theknightdidnotanswerhim。"Fetchthecordhither，"saidhe，"anddragtheoldwitchaway。"
IttooktwoofthemtoloosenpooroldUrsela’scrazyclutchfromaboutheryoungmaster。Thenamidroarsoflaughtertheydraggedheraway，screamingandscratchingandstrikingwithherfists。
TheydrewbackOtto’sarmsbehindhisbackandwrappedthemroundandroundwithabowstring。Thentheypushedandhustledandthrusthimforthfromtheroomandalongthepassageway，nowbrightwiththeflamesthatroaredandcrackledwithout。Downthesteepstairwaytheydrovehim，wherethricehestumbledandfellamidroarsoflaughter。Atlasttheywereoutintotheopenairofthecourt—yard。Herewasaterriblesight，butOttosawnothingofit；hisblueeyesweregazingfaraway，andhislipsmovedsoftlywiththeprayerthatthegoodmonksofSt。
Michaelsburghadtaughthim，forhethoughtthattheymeanttoslayhim。
Allaroundthecourt—yardtheflamesroaredandsnappedandcrackled。Fourorfivefigureslayscatteredhereandthere，silentinalltheglareanduproar。Theheatwassointensethattheyweresoonforcedbackintotheshelterofthegreatgateway，wherethewomencaptives，undertheguardofthreeorfouroftheTrutz—Drachenmen，werecrowdedtogetherindumb，bewilderedterror。Onlyonemanwastobeseenamongthecaptives，poor，old，halfblindMasterRudolph，thesteward，whocrouchedtremblinglyamongthewomen。TheyhadsettheblazetoMelchior’stower，andnow，below，itwasaseethingfurnace。
Above，thesmokerolledinblackcloudsfromthewindows，butstillthealarmbellsoundedthroughalltheblazeandsmoke。
Higherandhighertheflamesrose；atrickleoffireranalongtheframebuildingshangingaloftintheair。Aclearflameburstoutatthepeakoftheroof，butstillthebellrangforthitsclamorousclangor。Presentlythosewhowatchedbelowsawtheclusterofbuildingsbendandsinkandsway；therewasacrashandroar，acloudofsparksflewupasthoughtotheveryheavensthemselves，andthebellofMelchior’stowerwasstilledforever。Agreatshoutarosefromthewatching，upturnedfaces。
"Forward!"criedBaronHenry，andoutfromthegatewaytheysweptandacrossthedrawbridge，leavingDrachenhausenbehindthemaflamingfurnaceblazingagainstthegrayoftheearlydawning。
VIII。
IntheHouseoftheDragonScorner。
Tall，narrow，gloomyroom；nofurniturebutarudebenchabarestonefloor，coldstonewallsandagloomyceilingofarchedstoneoverhead；along，narrowslitofawindowhighaboveinthewall，throughtheironbarsofwhichOttocouldseeasmallpatchofblueskyandnowandthenadartingswallow，foraninstantseen，thenextinstantgone。Suchwasthelittlebaron’sprisoninTrutz—Drachen。Fastenedtoaboltandhangingagainstthewalls，hungapairofheavychainswithgapingfettersattheends。Theywerethickwithrust，andtheredstainoftheruststreakedthewallbelowwheretheyhunglikeasmearofblood。LittleOttoshudderedashelookedatthem；canthosebemeantforme，hethought。
Nothingwastobeseenbutthatonepatchofblueskyfarupinthewall。Nosoundfromwithoutwastobeheardinthatgloomycellofstone，forthewindowpiercedtheouterwall，andtheearthanditsnoiseslayfarbelow。
Suddenlyadoorcrashedwithout，andthefootstepsofmenwereheardcomingalongthecorridor。TheystoppedinfrontofOtto’scell；heheardthejingleofkeys，andthenaloudrattleofonethrustintothelockoftheheavyoakendoor。Therustyboltwasshotbackwithascreech，thedooropened，andtherestoodBaronHenry，nolongerinhisarmor，butcladinalongblackrobethatreachednearlytohisfeet，abroadleatherbeltwasgirdledabouthiswaist，andfromitdangledashort，heavyhuntingsword。
AnothermanwaswiththeBaron，aheavy—facedfellowcladinaleathernjerkinoverwhichwasdrawnashortcoatoflinkedmail。
Thetwostoodforamomentlookingintotheroom，andOtto，hispalefaceglimmeringinthegloom，satupontheedgeoftheheavywoodenbenchorbed，lookingbackatthemoutofhisgreatblueeyes。Thenthetwoenteredandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
"Dostthouknowwhythouarthere？"saidtheBaron，inhisdeep，harshvoice。
"Nay，"saidOtto，"Iknownot。"
"So？"saidtheBaron。"ThenIwilltellthee。ThreeyearsagothegoodBaronFrederick，myuncle，kneeledinthedustandbesoughtmercyatthyfather’shands；themercyhereceivedwasthecowardblowthatslewhim。Thouknowestthestory？"
"Aye，"saidOtto，tremblingly，"Iknowit。"
"ThendostthounotknowwhyIamhere？"saidtheBaron。
"Nay，dearLordBaron，Iknownot，"saidpoorlittleOtto，andbegantoweep。
TheBaronstoodforamomentortwolookinggloomilyuponhim，asthelittleboysattherewiththetearsrunningdownhiswhiteface。
"Iwilltellthee，"saidhe，atlast；"IsworeanoaththattheredcockshouldcrowonDrachenhausen，andIhavegivenittothedames。IsworeanoaththatnoVuelphthateverleftmyhandsshouldbeabletostrikesuchablowasthyfathergavetoBaronFrederick，andnowIwillfulfilthattoo。Catchtheboy，Casper，andholdhim。"
AsthemaninthemailshirtsteppedtowardlittleOtto，theboyleapedupfromwherehesatandcaughttheBaronabouttheknees。"Oh!dearLordBaron，"hecried，"donotharmme；Iamonlyalittlechild，Ihaveneverdoneharmtothee；donotharmme。"
"Takehimaway，"saidtheBaron，harshly。
Thefellowstooped，andlooseningOtto’shold，inspiteofhisstrugglesandcries，carriedhimtothebench，againstwhichheheldhim，whilsttheBaronstoodabovehim。
BaronHenryandtheothercameforthfromthecell，carefullyclosingthewoodendoorbehindthem。AttheendofthecorridortheBaronturned，"Lettheleechbesenttotheboy，"saidhe。
Andthenheturnedandwalkedaway。
Ottolayuponthehardcouchinhiscell，coveredwithashaggybearskin。Hisfacewaspalerandthinnerthanever，anddarkringsencircledhisblueeyes。Hewaslookingtowardthedoor，fortherewasanoiseofsomeonefumblingwiththelockwithout。
SincethatdreadfuldaywhenBaronHenryhadcometohiscell，onlytwosoulshadvisitedOtto。OnewasthefellowwhohadcomewiththeBaronthattime；hisname，Ottofound，wasCasper。Hebroughttheboyhisrudemealsofbreadandmeatandwater。Theothervisitorwastheleechordoctor，athin，weasandlittleman，withakindly，wrinkledfaceandagossipingtongue，who，besidesbindingwounds，bleeding，andleeching，andadministeringhissimpleremediestothosewhoweretakensickinthecastle，actedastheBaron’sbarber。
TheBaronhadleftthekeyinthelockofthedoor，sothatthesetwomightenterwhentheychose，butOttoknewthatitwasneithertheonenortheotherwhomhenowheardatthedoor，workinguncertainlywiththekey，strivingtoturnitintherusty，cumbersomelock。Atlasttheboltsgratedback，therewasapause，andthenthedooropenedalittleway，andOttothoughtthathecouldseesomeonepeepinginfromwithout。Byandbythedooropenedfurther，therewasanotherpause，andthenaslender，elfish—lookinglittlegirl，withstraightblackhairandshiningblackeyes，creptnoiselesslyintotheroom。
Shestoodclosebythedoorwithherfingerinhermouth，staringattheboywherehelayuponhiscouch，andOttouponhispartlay，fullofwonder，gazingbackuponthelittleelfincreature。
She，seeingthathemadenosignormotion，steppedalittlenearer，andthen，afteramoment’spause，alittlenearerstill，until，atlast，shestoodwithinafewfeetofwherehelay。
"ArtthoutheBaronOtto？"saidshe。
"Yes，"answeredOtto。
"Prut!"saidshe，"andisthatso!Why，Ithoughtthatthouwertagreattallfellowatleast，andherethouartalittleboynoolderthanCarlMax，thegooseherd。"Then，afteralittlepause—"MynameisPauline，andmyfatheristheBaron。Iheardhimtellmymotherallaboutthee，andsoIwantedtocomehereandseetheemyself：Artthousick？"
"Yes，"saidOtto，"Iamsick。"
"Anddidmyfatherhurtthee？"
"Aye，"saidOtto，andhiseyesfilledwithtears，untilonesparklingdroptrickledslowlydownhiswhiteface。
LittlePaulinestoodlookingseriouslyathimforawhile。"Iamsorryforthee，Otto，"saidshe，atlast。Andthen，atherchildishpity，hebegancryinginearnest。
Thiswasonlythefirstvisitofmanyfromthelittlemaid，forafterthatsheoftencametoOtto’sprison，whobegantolookforhercomingfromdaytodayastheonebrightspotinthedarknessandthegloom。
Sittingupontheedgeofhisbedandgazingintohisfacewithwideopeneyes，shewouldlistentohimbythehour，ashetoldherofhislifeinthatfarawaymonasteryhome；ofpoor，simplebrotherJohn’swonderfulvisions，ofthegoodAbbot’sbookswiththeirbeautifulpictures，andofallthemonkishtalesandstoriesofknightsanddragonsandheroesandemperorsofancientRome，whichbrotherEmmanuelhadtaughthimtoreadinthecrabbedmonkishLatininwhichtheywerewritten。
Onedaythelittlemaidsatforalongwhilesilentafterhehadendedspeaking。Atlastshedrewadeepbreath。"Andareallthesethingsthatthoutellestmeaboutthepriestsintheircastlereallytrue？"saidshe。
"Yes，"saidOtto，"allaretrue。"
"Anddotheynevergoouttofightotherpriests？"
"No，"saidOtto，"theyknownothingoffighting。"
"So!"saidshe。Andthenfellsilentinthethoughtofthewonderofitall，andthatthereshouldbemenintheworldthatknewnothingofviolenceandbloodshed；forinalltheeightyearsofherlifeshehadscarcelybeenoutsideofthewallsofCastleTrutz—DrachenAtanothertimeitwasofOtto’smotherthattheywerespeaking。
"Anddidstthouneverseeher，Otto？"saidthelittlegirl。
"Aye，"saidOtto，"Iseehersometimesinmydreams，andherfacealwaysshinessobrightthatIknowsheisanangel；forbrotherJohnhasoftenseenthedearangels，andhetellsmethattheirfacesalwaysshineinthatway。Isawherthenightthyfatherhurtmeso，forIcouldnotsleepandmyheadfeltasthoughitwouldbreakasunder。Thenshecameandleanedovermeandkissedmyforehead，andafterthatIfellasleep。"
"Butwheredidshecomefrom，Otto？"saidthelittlegirl。
"Fromparadise，Ithink，"saidOtto，withthatpatientseriousnessthathehadcaughtfromthemonks，andthatsatsoquaintlyuponhim。
"So!"saidlittlePauline；andthen，afterapause，"Thatiswhythymotherkissedtheewhenthyheadached—becausesheisanangel。WhenIwassickmymotherbadeGretchencarrymetoafarpartofthehouse，becauseIcriedandsotroubledher。Didthymothereverstrikethee，Otto？"
"Nay，"saidOtto。
"Minehathoftenstruckme，"saidPauline。
OnedaylittlePaulinecamebustlingintoOtto’scell，herheadfullofthenewswhichshecarried。"Myfathersaysthatthyfatherisoutinthewoodssomewhereyonder，backofthecastle，forFritz，theswineherd，toldmyfatherthatlastnighthehadseenafireinthewoods，andthathehadcreptuptoitwithoutanyoneknowing。TherehehadseentheBaronConradandsixofhismen，andthattheywereeatingoneoftheswinethattheyhadkilledandroasted。"Maybe，"saidshe，seatingherselfupontheedgeofOtto’scouch；"maybemyfatherwillkillthyfather，andtheywillbringhimhereandlethimlieuponablackbedwithbrightcandlesburningaroundhim，astheydidmyuncleFrederickwhenhewaskilled。"
"Godforbid!"saidOtto，andthenlayforawhilewithhishandsclasped。"Dostthouloveme，Pauline？"saidhe，afterawhile。
"Yes，"saidPauline，"forthouartagoodchild，thoughmyfathersaysthatthywitsarecracked。"
"Mayhaptheyare，"saidOtto，simply，"forIhaveoftenbeentoldsobefore。Butthouwouldstnotseemedie，Pauline；
wouldstthou？"
"Nay，"saidPauline，"Iwouldnotseetheedie，forthenthoucouldsttellmenomorestories；fortheytoldmethatuncleFrederickcouldnotspeakbecausehewasdead。"
"Thenlisten，Pauline，"saidOtto；"ifIgonotawayfromhereI
shallsurelydie。EverydayIgrowmoresickandtheleechcannotcureme。"Herehebrokedownand，turninghisfaceuponthecouch，begancrying，whilelittlePaulinesatlookingseriouslyathim。
"Whydostthoucry，Otto？"saidshe，afterawhile。
"Because，"saidhe，"Iamsosick，andIwantmyfathertocomeandtakemeawayfromhere。"
"Butwhydostthouwanttogoaway？"saidPauline。"Ifthyfathertakestheeaway，thoucanstnottellmeanymorestories。"
"Yes，Ican，"saidOtto，"forwhenIgrowtobeamanIwillcomeagainandmarrythee，andwhenthouartmywifeIcantelltheeallthestoriesthatIknow。DearPauline，canstthounottellmyfatherwhereIam，thathemaycomehereandtakemeawaybeforeIdie？"
"MayhapIcoulddoso，"saidPauline，afteralittlewhile，"forsometimesIgowithCasperMaxtoseehismother，whonursedmewhenIwasababy。SheisthewifeofFritz，theswineherd，andshewillmakehimtellthyfather；forshewilldowhateverI
askofher，andFritzwilldowhatevershebidshimdo。"
"Andformysake，wiltthoutellhim，Pauline？"saidOtto。
"Butsee，Otto，"saidthelittlegirl，"ifItellhim，wiltthoupromisetocomeindeedandmarrymewhenthouartgrownaman？"
Yes，"saidOtto，veryseriously，"Iwillpromise。"
"ThenIwilltellthyfatherwherethouart，"saidshe。
"ButthouwiltdoitwithouttheBaronHenryknowing，wiltthounot，Pauline？"
"Yes，"saidshe，"forifmyfatherandmymotherknewthatIdidsuchathing，theywouldstrikeme，mayhapsendmetomybedaloneinthedark。"
IX。
HowOne—eyedHanscametoTrutz—Drachen。
Fritz，theswineherd，sateatinghislatesupperofporridgeoutofagreat，coarse，woodenbowl；wifeKatherinesatattheotherendofthetable，andthehalf—nakedlittlechildrenplayedupontheearthenfloor。Ashaggydoglaycurledupinfrontofthefire，andagruntingpigscratchedagainstalegoftherudetableclosebesidewherethewomansat。
"Yes，yes，"saidKatherine，speakingofthematterofwhichtheyhadalreadybeentalking。"ItisallverytruethattheDrachenhausensareabadlot，andIforoneamofnomindtosaynotothat；allthesameitisasadthingthatasimple—wittedlittlechildliketheyoungBaronshouldbesotreatedastheboyhasbeen；andnowthatourLordBaronhasservedhimsothathe，atleast，willneverbeabletodous’harm，Iforonesaythatheshouldnotbelefttheretodiealoneinthatblackcell。"
Fritz，theswineherd，gaveagruntatthiswithoutraisinghiseyesfromthebowl。
"Yes，good，"saidKatherine，"Iknowwhatthoumeanest，Fritz，andthatitisnoneofmybusinesstobethrustingmyfingerintotheBaron’sdish。Buttohearthewaythatdearlittlechildspokewhenshewasherethismorn—itwouldhavemovedaheartofstonetohearhertellofallhisprettytalk。Thouwilttrytoletthered—beardknowthatthatpoorboy，hisson，issicktodeathintheblackcell；wiltthounot，Fritz？"
Theswineherddroppedhiswoodenspoonintothebowlwithaclatter。"Potstausand!"hecried；"artthougoneoutofthyheadtoletthywitsrunuponsuchthingsasthisofwhichthoutalkesttome？IfitshouldcometoourLordBaron’searshewouldcutthetonguefromoutthyheadandmyheadfromoffmyshouldersforit。DostthouthinkIamgoingtomeddleinsuchamatterasthis？Listen!theseproudBaronfolk，withtheirmasterfulways，driveoursorthitherandthither；theybeatus，theydriveus，theykillusastheychoose。Ourlivesarenotasmuchtothemasoneofmyblackswine。WhyshouldItroublemyheadiftheychoosetolopandtrimoneanother？Thefewerthereareofthemthebetterforus，sayI。Wepoorfolkhaveahardenoughlifeofitwithoutthrustingourheadsintothenoosetohelpthemoutoftheirtroubles。WhatthinkestthouwouldhappentousifBaronHenryshouldhearofourbetrayinghisaffairstotheRed—beard？"
"Nay，"saidKatherine，"thouhastnaughttodointhematterbuttotelltheRed—beardinwhatpartofthecastlethelittleBaronlies。"
"Andwhatgoodwouldthatdo？"saidFritz，theswineherd。
"Iknownot，"saidKatherine，"butIhavepromisedthelittleonethatthouwouldstfindtheBaronConradandtellhimthatmuch。"
"Thouhastpromisedamare’segg，"saidherhusband，angrily。
"HowshallIfindtheBaronConradtobearamessagetohim，whenourBaronhasbeenlookingforhiminvainfortwodayspast？"
"Thouhasfoundhimonceandthoumaystfindhimagain，"saidKatherine，"foritisnotlikelythathewillkeepfarawayfromherewhilsthisboyisinsuchsoreneedofhelp。"
"Iwillhavenothingtodowithit!"saidFritz，andhegotupfromthewoodenblockwhereonhewassittingandstumpedoutofthehouse。But，then，Katherinehadheardhimtalkinthatwaybefore，andknew，inspiteofhissaying"no，"that，soonerorlater，hewoulddoasshewished。
Twodayslateraverystoutlittleone—eyedman，cladinaleathernjerkinandwearingaroundleatherncapuponhishead，cametoilingupthepathtotheposterndoorofTrutz—Drachen，hisbackbowedundertheburthenofagreatpeddler’spack。Itwasouroldfriendtheone—eyedHans，thoughevenhisbrotherwouldhardlyhaveknownhiminhispresentguise，for，besideshavingturnedpeddler，hehadgrownofasuddensurprisinglyfat。
Rap—tap—tap!Heknockedatthedoorwithaknottedendofthecrookedthornedstaffuponwhichheleaned。Hewaitedforawhileandthenknockedagain—rap—tap—tap!
Presently，withaclick，alittlesquarewicketthatpiercedthedoorwasopened，andawoman’sfacepeeredoutthroughtheironbars。
Theone—eyedHanswhippedoffhisleatherncap。
"Goodday，prettyone，"saidhe，"andhastthouanyneedofglassbeads，ribbons，combs，ortrinkets？HereIamcomeallthewayfromGruenstadt，withapackfullofsuchgaythingsasthouneverlaideyesonbefore。Hereberingsandbraceletsandnecklacesthatmightbeofpuresilverandsetwithdiamondsandrubies，foranythingthatthydearonecouldtellifhesawtheedeckedinthem。Andallaresocheapthatthouhastonlytosay，’Iwantthem，’andtheyarethine。"
Thefrightenedfaceatthewindowlookedfromrighttoleftandfromlefttoright。"Hush，"saidthegirl，andlaidherfingeruponherlips。"There!thouhadstbestgetawayfromhere，poorsoul，asfastasthylegscancarrythee，foriftheLordBaronshouldfindtheeheretalkingsecretlyattheposterndoor，hewouldloosethewolf—houndsuponthee。"
"Prut，"saidone—eyedHans，withagrin，"theBaronistoobigaflytoseesuchalittlegnatasI；butwolf—houndsornowolf—
hounds，IcannevergohencewithoutshowingtheetheprettythingsthatIhavebroughtfromthetown，eventhoughmystaybeatthedangerofmyownhide。"
Heflungthepackfromoffhisshouldersashespokeandfelltounstrappingit，whiletheroundfaceofthelass（hereyesbigwithcuriosity）peereddownathimthroughthegratedironbars。
Hansheldupanecklaceofblueandwhitebeadsthatglistenedlikejewelsinthesun，andfromthemhungagorgeousfiligreecross。"Didstthoueverseeasweeterthingthanthis？"saidhe；
"andlook，hereisacombthateventhesilversmithwouldswearwaspuresilverallthewaythrough。"Then，inasoft，wheedlingvoice，"Canstthounotletmein，mylittlebird？SurethereareotherlassesbesidesthyselfwhowouldliketotradewithapoorpeddlerwhohastravelledallthewayfromGruenstadtjusttopleasetheprettyonesofTrutz—Drachen。"
"Nay，"saidthelass，inafrightenedvoice，"Icannotlettheein；IknownotwhattheBaronwoulddotome，evennow，ifheknewthatIwasheretalkingtoastrangeratthepostern；"andshemadeasifshewouldclaptothelittlewindowinhisface；
buttheone—eyedHansthrusthisstaffbetwixtthebarsandsokepttheshutteropen。
"Nay，nay，"saidhe，eagerly，"donotgoawayfrommetoosoon。
Look，dearone；seestthouthisnecklace？"
"Aye，"saidshe，lookinghungrilyatit。
"Thenlisten；ifthouwiltbutletmeintothecastle，sothatI
maystrikeatrade，Iwillgiveittotheeforthineownwithoutthypayingabarleycornforit。"
Thegirllookedandhesitated，andthenlookedagain；thetemptationwastoogreat。Therewasanoiseofsoftlydrawnboltsandbars，thedoorwashesitatinglyopenedalittleway，and，inatwinkling，theone—eyedHanshadslippedinsidethecastle，packandall。
"Thenecklace，"saidthegirl，inafrightenedwhisper。
Hansthrustitintoherhand。"It’sthine，"saidhe，"andnowwiltthounothelpmetoatrade？"
"Iwilltellmysisterthatthouarthere，"saidshe，andawaysheranfromthelittlestonehallway，carefullyboltingandlockingthefurtherdoorbehindher。
Thedoorthatthegirlhadlockedwastheonlyonethatconnectedtheposternhailwiththecastle。
Theone—eyedHansstoodlookingafterher。"Thoufool!"hemutteredtohimself，"tolockthedoorbehindthee。WhatshallIdonext，Ishouldliketoknow？HereamIjustasbadlyoffasIwaswhenIstoodoutsidethewalls。Thouhussy!Ifthouhadstbutletmeintothecastleforonlytwolittleminutes，Iwouldhavefoundsomewheretohavehiddenmyselfwhilethybackwasturned。ButwhatshallIdonow？"Herestedhispackuponthefloorandstoodlookingabouthim。
Builtinthestonewalloppositetohim，wasahigh，narrowfireplacewithoutcarvingofanysort。AsHans’oneeyewanderedaroundthebarestonespace，hisglancefellatlastuponit，andthereitrested。Forawhilehestoodlookingintentlyatit，presentlyhebeganrubbinghishandoverhisbristlingchininathoughtful，meditativemanner。Finallyhedrewadeepbreath，andgivinghimselfashakeasthoughtoarousehimselffromhisthoughts，andafterlisteningamomentortwotomakesurethatnoonewasnigh，hewalkedsoftlytothefireplace，andstooping，peeredupthechimney。Abovehimyawnedablackcavernousdepth，inkywiththesootofyears。Hansstraightenedhimself，andtiltinghisleatherncaptooneside，beganscratchinghisbullet—head；atlasthedrewalongbreath。"Yes，good，"hemutteredtohimself；"hewhojumpsintotherivermuste’enswimthebesthecan。Itisavile，dirtyplacetothrustone’sself；butIaminforitnow，andmustmakethebestofalamehorse。"
Hesettledthecapmorefirmlyuponhishead，spatuponhishands，andoncemorestoopinginthefireplace，gavealeap，andupthechimneyhewentwitharattleofloosemortarandablacktrickleofsoot。
Byandbyfootstepssoundedoutsidethedoor。Therewasapause；
ahurriedwhisperingofwomen’svoices；thetwitterofanervouslaugh，andthenthedoorwaspushedsoftlyopensandthegirltowhomtheone—eyedHanshadgiventhenecklaceofblueandwhitebeadswiththefiligreecrosshangingfromit，peepeduncertainlyintotheroom。Behindherbroad，heavyfacewerethreeothers，equallyhomelyandstolid；forawhileallfourstoodthere，lookingblanklyintotheroomandaroundit。
Nothingwastherebutthepeddler’sknapsacklyinginthemiddleofthefloor—themanwasgone。ThelightofexpectancyslowlyfadedOutofthegirl’sface，andinitsplacesucceededfirstbewildermentandthendullalarm。"But，dearheaven，"shesaid，"wherethenhasthepeddlermangone？"
Amomentortwoofsilencefollowedherspeech。"Perhaps，"saidoneoftheothers，inavoicehushedwithawe，"perhapsitwastheevilonehimselftowhomthoudidstopenthedoor。"
Againtherewasahushedandbreathlesspause；itwasthelasswhohadletHansinatthepostern，whonextspoke。
"Yes，"saidshe，inavoicetremblingwithfrightatwhatshehaddone，"yes，itmusthavebeentheevilone，fornowI
rememberhehadbutoneeye。"Thefourgirlscrossedthemselves，andtheireyesgrewbigandroundwiththefright。
Suddenlyashowerofmortarcamerattlingdownthechimney。
"Ach!"criedthefour，aswithonevoice。Bang!thedoorwasclappedtoandawaytheyscurriedlikeaflockoffrightenedrabbits。
WhenJacob，thewatchman，camethatwayanhourlater，uponhiseveningroundofthecastle，hefoundapeddler’sknapsacklyinginthemiddleofthefloor。Heturneditoverwithhispike—
staffandsawthatitwasfullofbeadsandtrinketsandribbons。
"Howcamethishere？"saidhe。Andthen，withoutwaitingfortheanswerwhichhedidnotexpect，heflungitoverhisshoulderandmarchedawaywithit。
X。
HowHansBroughtTerrortotheKitchen。
Hansfoundhimselfinaprettypickleinthechimney，forthesootgotintohisoneeyeandsetittowatering，andintohisnoseandsethimtosneezing，andintohismouthandhisearsandhishair。Butstillhestruggledon，upandup；"foreverychimneyhasatop，"saidHanstohimself"andIamsuretoclimboutsomewhereorother。"Suddenlyhecametoaplacewhereanotherchimneyjoinedtheonehewasclimbing，andherehestoppedtoconsiderthematterathisleisure。"Seenow，"hemuttered，"ifIstillgoupwardImaycomeoutatthetopofsometallchimney—stackwithnowayofgettingdownoutside。
Now，belowheretheremustbeafire—placesomewhere，forachimneydoesnotstartfromnothingatall；yes，good!wewillgodownawhileandseewhatwemakeofthat。"
Itwasacrooked，zigzagroadthathehadtotravel，androughandhardintothebargain。Hisoneeyetingledandsmarted，andhiskneesandelbowswererubbedtothequick；neverthelessOne—
eyedHanshadbeeninworsetroublethanthisinhislife。
Downhewentanddownhewent，furtherthanhehadclimbedupwardbefore。"Sure，Imustbenearsomeplaceorother，"hethought。
Asthoughininstantanswertohisthoughts，heheardthesuddensoundofavoicesoclosebeneathhimthathestoppedshortinhisdownwardclimbingandstoodasstillasamouse，withhisheartinhismouth。Afewinchesmoreandhewouldhavebeendiscovered；—whatwouldhavehappenedthenwouldhavebeennohardmattertoforetell。
Hansbracedhisbackagainstonesideofthechimney，hisfeetagainsttheotherandthen，leaningforward，lookeddownbetweenhisknees。Thegraylightofthecomingeveningglimmeredinawidestonefireplacejustbelowhim。Withinthefireplacetwopeopleweremovingaboutuponthebroadhearth，agreat，fatwomanandashock—headedboy。Thewomanheldaspitwithtwonewlytrussedfowlsuponit，sothatOne—eyedHansknewthatshemustbethecook。
"Thouuglytoad，"saidthewomantotheboy，"didInotbidtheemakeafireanhourago？andnow，herethereisnotsomuchasasparktoroastthefowlswithall，andtheytobebastedforthelordBaron’ssupper。Wherehastthoubeenforallthistime？"
Nomatter，"saidtheboy，sullenly，ashelaidthefagotsreadyforthelighting；"nomatter，IwasnotrunningafterLongJacob，thebowman，totrytocatchhimforasweetheart，asthouhastbeendoing。"
Thereplywasinstantandready。Thecookraisedherhand；
"smack!"shestruckandaroarfromthescullionfollowed。
"Yes，good，"thoughtHans，ashelookeddownuponthem；"Iamgladthattheboy’searwasnotonmyhead。"
"Nowgivemenomoreofthytalk，"saidthewoman，"butdotheworkthatthouhastbeenbidden。"Then—"Howcameallthisblacksoothere，Ishouldliketoknow？"
"HowshouldIknow？"snuffledthescullion，"mayhapthouwouldstblamethatonmealso？"
"Thatismydoing，"whisperedHanstohimself；"butiftheylightthefire，whatthenbecomesofme？"
"Seenow，"saidthecook；"Igotomakethecakesready；ifI
comebackandfindthatthouhastnotbuiltthefire，Iwillwarmthyotherearforthee。"
"So，"thoughtHans；"thenwillbemytimetocomedownthechimney，fortherewillbebutoneofthem。"
Thenextmomentheheardthedoorcloseandknewthatthecookhadgonetomakethecakesreadyasshesaid。Andashelookeddownhesawthattheboywasbendingoverthebundleoffagots，blowingthesparkthathehadbroughtinuponthepunkintoaflame。Thedryfagotsbegantocrackleandblaze。"Nowismytime，"saidHanstohimself。Bracinghiselbowsagainsteachsideofthechimney，hestraightenedhislegssothathemightfallclearHismotionsloosenedlittleshowerofsootthatfellrattlinguponthefagotsthatwerenowbeginningtoblazebrightly，whereupontheboyraisedhisfaceandlookedup。Hansloosenedhisholduponthechimney；crash!hefell，lightinguponhisfeetinthemidstoftheburningfagots。Thescullionboytumbledbackwarduponthefloor，wherehelayuponthebroadofhisbackwithafaceaswhiteasdoughandeyesandmouthagape，staringspeechlesslyatthefrightfulinky—blackfigurestandinginthemidstoftheflamesandsmoke。Thenhisscatteredwitscamebacktohim。"Itistheevilone，"heroared。Andthereupon，turninguponhisside，hehalfrolled，halfscrambledtothedoor。Thenoutheleapedand，bangingittobehindhim，flewdownthepassageway，yellingwithfrightandneverdaringoncetolookbehindhim。
AllthetimeOne—eyedHanswasbrushingawaythesparksthatclungtohisclothes。Hewasasblackasinkfromheadtofootwiththesootfromthechimney。
"Sofarallisgood，"hemutteredtohimself，"butifIgowanderingaboutinmysootyshoesIwillleaveblacktrackstofollowme，sothereisnothingtodobute’entogobarefoot。
Hestoopedanddrawingthepointedsoftleathershoesfromhisfeet，hethrewthemuponthenowblazingfagots，wheretheywrithedandtwistedandwrinkled，andatlastburstintoaflame。MeanwhileHanslostnotime；hemustfindahiding—place，andquickly，ifhewouldyethopetoescape。Agreatbreadtroughstoodinthecornerofthekitchen—ahopper—shapedchestwithaflatlid。Itwasthebesthidingplacethattheroomafforded。WithoutfurtherthoughtHansrantoit，snatchingupfromthetableashepassedaloafofblackbreadandabottlehalffullofstalewine，forhehadhadnothingtoeatsincethatmorning。Intothegreatbreadtroughheclimbed，anddrawingtheliddownuponhim，curledhimselfupassnuglyasamouseinitsnest。
Forawhilethekitchenlayinsilence，butatlastthesoundofvoiceswasheardatthedoor，whisperingtogetherinlowtones。
Suddenlythedoorwasflungopenandatall，lean，lantern—jawedfellow，cladinroughfrieze，strodeintotheroomandstoodthereglaringwithhalffrightenedboldnessaroundabouthim；
threeorfourwomenandthetremblingscullioncrowdedtogetherinafrightenedgroupbehindhim。
ThemanwasLongJacob，thebowman；but，afterall，hisboldnesswasallwasted，fornotathreadorahairwastobeseen，butonlythecracklingfirethrowingitscheerfulruddyglowuponthewalloftheroom，nowrapidlydarkeninginthefallinggrayofthetwilightwithout。
Thefatcook’sfrightbeganrapidlytoturnintoanger。
"Thouimp，"shecried，"itisoneofthytricks，"andshemadeadiveforthescullion，whoduckedaroundtheskirtsofoneoftheotherwomenandsoescapedforthetime；butLongJacobwrinkleduphisnoseandsniffed。"Nay，"saidhe，"methinksthatthereliethsometruthinthetalethattheboyhathtold，forhereisavilesmellofburnedhornthattheblackonebathleftbehindhim。"
ItwasthesmellfromthesoftleathershoesthatHanshadburned。
ThesilenceofnighthadfallenovertheCastleofTrutz—
Drachen；notasoundwasheardbutthesqueakingofmicescurringbehindthewainscoting，thedulldrippingofmoisturefromtheeaves，orthesighingofthenightwindaroundthegablesandthroughthenakedwindowsofthecastle。
Thelidofthegreatdoughtroughwassoftlyraised，andaface，blackwithsoot，peepedcautiouslyoutfromunderit。Thenlittlebylittlearoseafigureasblackastheface；andOne—
eyedHanssteppedoutuponthefloor，stretchingandrubbinghimself。
"MethinksImusthaveslept，"hemuttered。"Hui，Iamasstiffasanewleatherdoublet，andnow，whatnextistobecomeofme？
Ihopemyluckmayyetsticktome，inspiteofthisfoulblacksoot!"
Alongthemiddleofthefrontofthegreathallofthecastle，ranalongstonegallery，openingatoneenduponthecourt—yardbyahighflightofstonesteps。Aman—at—armsinbreast—plateandsteelcap，andbearingalongpike，pacedupanddownthelengthofthisgallery，nowandthenstopping，leaningovertheedge，andgazingupintothestarryskyabove；then，withalongdrawnyawn，lazilyturningbacktothemonotonouswatchagain。
Adarkfigurecreptoutfromanarcheddoorwayatthelowerpartofthelongstraightbuilding，andsomelittledistancebelowtheendgallery，butthesentrysawnothingofit，forhisbackwasturned。Assilentlyandasstealthilyasacatthefigurecrawledalongbythedarkshadowywall，nowandthenstopping，andthenagaincreepingslowlyforwardtowardthegallerywheretheman—at—armsmovedmonotonouslyupanddown。ItwasOne—eyedHansinhisbarefeet。
Inchbyinch，footbyfoot—theblackfigurecrawledalongintheangleofthewall；inchbyinchandfootbyfoot，butevernearerandnearertothelongstraightrowofstonestepsthatledtothecoveredgallery。Atlastitcrouchedattheloweststepoftheflight。Justthenthesentineluponwatchcametotheveryendofthegalleryandstoodthereleaninguponhisspear。HadhelookeddownbelowhecouldnothavefailedtohaveseenOne—eyedHanslyingtheremotionlessly；buthewasgazingfarawayoverthesteepblackroofsbeyond，andneversawtheunsuspectedpresence。Minuteafterminutepassed，andtheonestoodtherelookingoutintothenightandtheotherlaycrouchingbythewall；thenwithawearysighthesentryturnedandbeganslowlypacingbackagaintowardthefartherendofthegallery。
Instantlythemotionlessfigurebelowaroseandglidednoiselesslyandswiftlyuptheflightofsteps。
Tworudestonepillarsflankedeithersideoftheendofthegallery。Likeashadowtheblackfigureslippedbehindoneofthese，flatteningitselfupagainstthewall，whereitstoodstraightandmotionlessastheshadowsaroundit。
Downthelonggallerycamethewatchman，hisswordclinkingloudlyinthesilenceashewalked，tramp，tramp，tramp!clink，clank，jingle。
Withinthreefeetofthemotionlessfigurebehindthepillarheturned，andbeganretracinghismonotonoussteps。Instantlytheotherlefttheshadowofthepostandcreptrapidlyandstealthilyafterhim。Onestep，twostepsthesentineltook；foramomenttheblackfigurebehindhimseemedtocrouchanddrawtogether，thenlikeaflashitleapedforwarduponitsvictim。
Ashadowyclothfellupontheman’sface，andinaninstanthewasflungbackanddownwithamuffledcrashuponthestones。
Thenfollowedafierceandsilentstruggleinthedarkness，butstrongandsturdyasthemanwas，hewasnomatchforthealmostsuperhumanstrengthofOne—eyedHans。Theclothwhichhehadflungoverhisheadwastiedtightlyandsecurely。Thenthemanwasforceduponhisfaceand，inspiteofhisfiercestruggles，hisarmswereboundaroundandaroundwithstrongfinecord；
nexthisfeetwereboundinthesameway，andthetaskwasdone。
ThenHansstooduponhisfeet，andwipedthesweatfromhisswarthyforehead。"Listen，brother，"hewhispered，andashespokehestoopedandpressedsomethingcoldandhardagainsttheneckoftheother。"Dostthouknowthefeelofthis？Itisabroaddagger，andifthoudostcontrivetoloosethatgagfromthymouthandmakestanyoutcry，itshallbesheathedinthyweasand。"
Sosaying，hethrusttheknifebackagainintoitssheath，thenstoopingandpickinguptheother，heflunghimacrosshisshoulderlikeasack，andrunningdownthestepsaslightlyasthoughhisloadwasnothingatall，hecarriedhisburdentothearcheddoorwaywhencehehadcomealittlewhilebefore。There，havingfirststrippedhisprisonerofallhisweapons，Hanssatthemanupintheangleofthewall。"So，brother；"saidhe，"nowwecantalkwithmoreeasethanwecouldupyonder。IwilltelltheefranklywhyIamhere；itistofindwheretheyoungBaronOttoofDrachenhauseniskept。Ifthoucansttellme，wellandgood；ifnot，Imuste’encutthyweasandandfindmeonewhoknowethmore。Now，canstthoutellmewhatIwouldlearn，brother？"
Theothernoddeddimlyinthedarkness。
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