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。
