have!"

But despite these brave words he turned pale and suddenly clapped his
hands to his eyes to shut out the terrible vision he had beheld.

Hubert cried out huskily to the attendants, "Bind him--and be quick!"

With this the attendants seized the prince, one on either side. Yet
they paused when they perceived that the prince wished to speak: a
final word to the chamberlain. The boy had turned upon Hubert a calm
glance. A strange stillness had come over him. He spoke in a low,
intense voice--

"Do not permit them to bind me," he said. "It would be shameful for a
prince to be bound. I know you were not speaking in jest, but please
do not let them bind me, as if I were a slave. I shall think of you as
my friend--as long as my hands are free. Come, Hubert . . . do you
recall how, when your head once ached, I put my handkerchief about it
to comfort you? It was one that a princess did make for me. Remember
how I have loved you--and do not let them bind me!"

His plea prevailed. "So--then they shall not!" cried Hubert. And to
the attendants he exclaimed fiercely, "Begone! Did I not bid you be
swift, that the very blood in my veins should not turn to water?
Fellows--begone! It may be that my task will be easier if I work alone
and he resist me."

The two attendants turned in terror before the wrath of the chamberlain
and fled. And before Hubert had withdrawn his eyes from their
retreating forms certain strange events came to pass.