The Sword Maker

ism "Know thyself" rose to popularity when cultured minds turned towards science. In the period to which this recital belongs the adage "Blood tells" enjoyed universal acceptance. It

use. Nothing could be more excellent, for instance, than the proverb "Money talks" as representing two commercial countries like America and England. In that short sentence is packed the essence of many other wise and drastic sayings, as, fo

ss, then, the personification of the two phrases, ancient and modern: b

by the expression on the face of his host that, could he be convinced of the truth of th

bel cudgeled his brain, trying to remember where he had seen this young man before, but memory had roamed among clerks, salesmen, and industrious people of that sort where, somehow, this young fellow did not fit in. When Roland suddenly sprung

e lesser nobility did not call unheralded at the house of a merchant. The aristocracy always wanted money, it is true, "but what they thought the

ness, and, in spite of the pleadings of the Empress (the Emperor was drunk and indifferent) placed him in the custody of the Archbishop nearest to Frankfort, the warrior prela

, and if he had spoken a short time before, he would have put

a brilliant cavalry charge, for a moment successful, but coming to naught because there was no solid infantry to turn the temporary confusion of the enemy into c

the merchant. "If indeed you are the Emperor's s

u like, sir. I shall ans

would be likely to reply that as you dared not enter your fat

ge than I could employ. In more halting

you last in

ir, that you took up yo

you have shown me that you know nothing of mercantile practice; the

bore me extremely. I care nothing for your mercantile procedure, and, to be quite plain with you, I

oached a client or customer for the purpose of obtaining a fa

ing any favo

o you a thousand thalers, o

the Emperor, now the Electors; censuring everybody, in fact, except the real culprits ... yourselves. You speak of the money as a favor, but it is merely an advance for a few weeks, and will be returned to you; yet because I desire

d spoken with the most exemplary humility. Goebel felt convinced he was not the Prince, but some young noble, who, intimate with the Royal Family, and knowing the Emperor's son to be out of the way, thought it safe to assume his name,

fund enables us to procure private information that may be of value in our business. Among other things we need to know are accurate details pertaining to the intentions and doings of our rulers, f

ferently, throwing back his head, and parti

ing through them carefully, selected a document, and d

the young Prince Roland. They assured the Empress, who protested, that the Prince would be well cared for, and that, as an insurrection was feared in Frankfort, it was considered safer that the person whom they intended to elevate to the throne on the event of the Emperor's death, should be out of harm's way, being placed under the di

he Palace, and so conveyed down the Main to the Rhine, which was reached just after daybreak. Without landing, and keeping as much as possible to the middle of the river, t

ubtless will not elect him to the throne in succession unless he proves compliant to their wishes. The Prince being a young man of no particular force of character'" (the merchant paused in his reading, and looked across at his vis-à-vis with a smile, but the latter appeared to be asleep), "'he will probably succumb to the Archbishops, therefore merchant

and, what do yo

en, the wind being favorable, a sail was hoisted, and with the current assisting the wind, we made excellent time to Ehrenfels. I observe, further, tha

rn to Ehrenfels for two months, and as there is little use for money in that fortress, your maintenance being guaranteed, and seven hundred thalers allowed, you can co

shrewd Archbishops anticipate an insurrection, and doubtless they command the force at hand ready to crush it, but during this conflict,

is possible," comm

in. Civil war means ruin, to

. Now, will you tell

enf

to my terms without

your terms if I be

down to any definite bargain. Is thi

ess terms when I asked for security, or for the signature of three responsible merchants to y

ripping to the farther shore, far from sight of Ehrenfels, then, doubtless, you would believe. But my escape was prosaically commonplace, depending on the cupidity of one man. The material for it was placed in my hands by the Archbishops themselves. Your account states that the Castle is well guarded. So it is, but when the Archbishop needs an augmentation of his force, he withdraws his men from Ehrenfels to Mayence, as my prison is the nearest of his possessions to his capital city, and thus at times it happens that

was in his power to mitigate my captivity, and this indeed did; so at last when the Castle was empty I made him a proposal. Now remember, Sir Merchant, that wha

shall te

r. Now, seven hundred thalers a month pass through your honest hands to mine, and will continue to do so. Your son seems to be even more silent than yourself, and he is a young fellow whom I suspect knows the difference between a thaler and a button on his own coat. If you do what I wish, there will be some slight ri

with your own sword, failing your eleva

from my vengeance unles

todian need not fear the future. B

iscovery, for if the Archbishop of Mayence sent some one to see that the Prince was safe, or even came himself, all the young man need do was to follow my example and keep silent, for I had said nothing from the time

es; and their devout Lordships know that outside the fortress no person, not even my mother, wishes me forth. I took in my wallet five hundred thalers, and fared like the peasant I seemed to be, down the Rhine, now on one side, now on the other, until I came to the ancient town of Castra Bonnensia of the Romans, which name the inhabitants now shorten to Bonn. There I found the Archbishop in residence, and not at Cologn

for this apparently reckless visit of yours to Ehrenfels. You

t, too, without nearly so much talk as I have b

in going down the rive

nkf

ir castles to be impregnable, but, with the curiosity of youth, I desired to form an opinion of my own. I therefore lodged as a wayfarer at every castle to I could gain admittance, making friends with some underling, and getting a bed on occasion in the stables, although of

quizzically for some time witho

hink I be

ly, I

oet, good Master Roland, and weave for our delectation stories of the Rhine. I think your im

err Goebel had not exp

ed to my twenty friends, who last n

thousand thalers would not go towards the prosecuting of the e

of course you know it isn't, you have nevertheless enough common sense to be aware that I would certainly show a pardonable reluctance about visiting my father's Palace. It is thronged with spies of the Archbishop, and although, as I have said, I am not very well known, there is a chance that one or another might recognize me, and then, almost instantly, a man on a swift hor

re the signatur

go again! Alw

uch genuine despair that his host w

never seen the signature of the Empress, and such a missive could easily be forged by a scholar, which I take you to be. If, then, you

ame, let's hea

e: the Great Seal of the Realm, attached

"I have not even seen him these many months past. I can obtain the signa

ing it for granted that you are the Prince, otherwise 'twere useless to waste time in this talk. You display all the confidence of youth in speaking of the exploits you propose, and, indeed, it is ch

rong. I feel no f

about to embark on an enterprise greatly beneficial to the land. Say that you go incognito, and that, even should you fail, 'twill bring no discredit to your Royal House. But point out the danger of which I forewarn you. Ask her to get the signature of the Emperor attached to a safe-conduct, together with the devic

of the room, where he indited the memorial he had outlined, and,

nd that what he has done has been done with my sanction, therefore he and his twenty co

wn life, and that of his family and followers, whil

d fro

u?" asked Goebel, his

, to attack a man's castle, and then, if captu

shrugged hi

enty-one looped ropes dangling in the air your hesitation will vanish. Oh, not on your own account," cried Goebel, as a si

p the stiff parchment, opening his cloak, and thrus

t, bearing the Emperor'

find the golden c

e this evening would it

to stop long; merely a few handshakes, and a few cups of wine.

d, and the aged servitor in the ha

wn the Weckmarkt into the Saa

ger, and has written this with his own hand, doubtless filling it with secret marks. Still, perhaps it is as well to posse

aken to the guard-room and questioned-searched, perhaps, and the sword found on him-a complication would arise adding materially to the difficulties already in his way. Quickening his pace, he passed through the Fahrthor, and so to the rive

t structure. Here he leaned against the parapet, gazed at the river fa?ade of the Palace, and studied his problem. There were three sets of steps from the terrace to the water, a broad flight in the center for u

himself, "offer the most feasib

ngaged, and refusing the services of a waterman, stepped in, and drifted down the stream. He detached sword and scabbard from his belt, removed the cloak and wrapped the weapon in it, placing the folded garment out of sight under the covering at the prow. With his paddle he kept

u wish to earn a pair of gold pieces?" and he s

ned, and he cast a rapid

replied br

et where it is, and s

h a cautious look around

t outer garment, a

and flung his bonnet beside the cloak a

and keep out of sight u

two hours with the merchant, and it was now the time of midday eating. Every one was hurrying to and fro, with no time to heed anything that did not pertain to the

sure at this hour to find her within. On his unannounced entrance the Empress gave utterance to an ex

"what do you here? How

er the arch of the servants' stairwa

have you come here? Surely you know the Pala

and for the best of reasons he dare not say a word. Do not be alarmed, I beg of you. I am free by his permission, and shall

elt Herr Goebel's parchm

a declaration signed by the Emperor, and decorated with the Great Seal of the Empire. Then, if any attempt is

she held the document and tried to read it; "I can obtain your fathe

t, and I am sure the Chamberlain will make no objection when the instrument is for the protection of your son's life. It is not necessary

with the document duly executed. Roland thrust it under his belt again, and reassuring his mother, who was now weeping on his shoulder, he tried to tear himself away. The

ed. The generous Archbishops allow me seven hundred th

e were more, but you must accept it, for I should feel easier in my mind to k

nfels is a delightful spot, with old Bingen just across the water. I like it much better than

dine, put it on, and so came to the water's edge, entering into possession of his boat again. Returning the craft to

in the large, empty, public cellar, asked that worthy if his friends

that's not justifying a man's word, I should like to know what is. And now, lan

oursel

else? The lads have had

k bread has go

, steaming hot, or two or three of them if necessary.

landlord

ungry men is a different matter. Remember, sir, I have not seen the color of their s

. We will begin with fish while you prepare the meat. 'Tis gold I deal with to-night, and most of it is for your pouch

low. "No such meal is spread to-night i

oland entered the Kaiser cel

one. "Have you shirk

mind them, Roland. Your chair at the head of the table always awaits you. There

away the flagons that stood near him, he drew the leathern bag from his belt, and poured the shining yellow co

n. "The man who refuses to apologize, and that abjectly,

pology was t

h Mightiness!" cried the man

r, with a double quantity of Rudesheimer wine. Again I offe

ack," cried one, "but I am of a forgiving natu

omised a further supply this evening, which will be divided equally among ourselves. I ask you, therefore, to be sparing of the wine." H

the noise, he supposed it represented impatience of the company at the delay, a mistake which no one thought it worth wh

, who had drained his flagon before asking the question. "With

oke in the interests of fair-play. An appointment was made by me for ten o'

Roland?" inquire

that secret when you int

Goe

th merchant on

hat he is a merchant, and lives in the Fahrgasse. This morning I enjoyed the privilege of pr

I'm a sword forger, and work for no

ding, "is set for ten o'clock, and I expect

re not to drin

act

assistant, entered, carrying the paraphernalia for t

r another half-hour over its wine, then Roland rose, buc

have not sold your

e landlord's bill with a generous eye, and pay him the amount we owe. If anything is left, we will divide it equally," a

ed at the door of the merchant's house in the Fahrgasse. It was promptly opened by the ancient porter, who,

d left him at noon that day. Half a dozen candles shed their soft radiance over the table, and on one corner of it, close b

odden too closely on the heels of my appointment, thus withdrawing you prematurely from the fe

friends again, and I believe they were glad to see me, the condition of the city is such,

nd all that. How long will it require t

dy by the evening of t

arges. Remember, it must house twenty-

omplete arrangements are

ch luxury. It might arouse suspicion

ll see you and you

here to meet me? I wish you to give him instructions in my presence that he is to do whatever I ask of him. We will join the boat on the Rhine bet

fly in his chair as he patted the well-stuffed bag. "The money is her

ht it with me

adjusting his horn glasses with the air of on

. He unfastened his cloak, and allowed it to fall at his feet, then whisk

became aware of his danger, and shrank back so far as h

mean by tha

es the trick, I think. I hope you see the uselessness of resistance. You cannot even cry out, for at the first attempt a thrust of this blade cuts the very roots of u

Thieves you are, th

hand pass that bag of gold across t

mptly did what h

of Herr Goebel. As he had said, the condition of things in Frankfort, especially in that room, failed to make

ercept you, as I am nearer to it than you are, and more active. Call philosophy to your

moment, but he went on with numbering the coins as nonchalantly as if seated in the treasury of the Corn Exchange. When he had counted half the sum the bag contained, he

t when I visited my mother this afternoon, she quite unexpectedly gave me five hun

ed the merchant. "

ou wished to see that document! Why didn't you ask for it? I asked for t

utinized the Great Seal a

ered Herr Goebel at last, gazing ac

and thalers were lost. Now it is but five hundred thalers inve