Joan of the Sword Hand

to be gone. There was on his side the certainty of an excellent fortune, a possible succession, and, in any case, a pretty and wilful wife. But

was as good as nought, and the other--In addition, the marriage had been arranged by their several fathers, tho

accustomed to his own way in all things. Nevertheless, Ivan had managed to make himself popular with the townsfolk, on account of the largesse which he lavished and the custom which his numerous suite brought to t

oolish princess. You play upon her with your pretty words and graceful compliments. That is an agreeable relaxation enough. It passes the time

nd across his body he drew

e answered nothing. A curious feeling of detachment crept over him. He had held

d by my lacqueys and thrown into the town ditch. I have informed you of my name and pretensions t

von L?en," answered the sec

ristic of him, "but though I am well versed in all the noble families of the north, and especially in those o

tain with my sword in the meantime. And, after, you can assure yourself from the mouth of the High State's Co

serves to quarrel as to names or titles, legal or illegitimate. My quarrel is with your fascinating

ssed again along the alleys of the rose garden till he reach

onour you by crossing my sword with yours, it is a mere formality. I have such skill of the weapon, as I daresay report has told you, that you may consi

windy preludes, and with the fencer's smile on his face he kept his si

it fe

is most dashing attack was repelled with apparent ease, yet with a subtlety which interposed nothing but the most delicate of guards and parries between Prince Ivan

ractice with the sword, for the sting of the Wasp flashe

wering thrust glittered out, and the secretary's sword s

enough. The Prince staggered, cried out some unintelligible words in the Muscovite language, and pit

ince st

he door by which they had entered, and from behind the trees of the surrounding glade, there came the noise of pounding footsteps and fi

nded by a yelling crowd of city loafers and gallows'-rats, many of them rag-clad, others habited in heterogeneous scraps of cast-o

distance of half-a-dozen yards and for many minutes contented themselves with hurling oaths and imprecations at him. Johann Pyrmont kept his sword in his hand and stood by the body of his fallen foe in disdainful silence till the

lar cries inspirited the rabble of Courtland, great haters of th

cry of pain, a turmoil among the assailants as a wounded man whirled his way backward out of the press. But this could not last for long. The odds were

lives, dogs and traitors! Germans to the re

sword bare in his hand, his eyes glittering with excitement. It was the Danish prisoner

. Apparent enough at any time, it was accentuated now by similarity of clothing. For, like Johann Pyrmont, the Sparhawk was attired in a black doublet and

re scores of these Plassenburg black crows in Courtland, slaying whom they will? Here be tw

rd over his shoulde

I stand back to back with you. They are dangerou

mself back to back with his ally, and their two bright blades waved every wa

e of the crowd worked it

ried, "Kill them!" For they were out of reach of those two shining streaks of steel. Those before would gladly have fallen behind, but could not for the forward thrust

rincess Margaret burst a little company of halberdiers, at sight of w

"Well you know that my brother is from home, or you da

lad to combine personal safety with the pleasures of the chase, took to their heels after him. But, light and unexpected in motion as his namesake, the Sparhawk skimmed down the alleys, darted sideways through gates which