"Nay," said the Baron, roughly, "I will tarry no longer than to
hear thee promise to care for my child."

"I promise," said the Abbot; "but lay aside thy armor, and
rest."

"Nay," said the Baron, "I go back again to-day."

At this the Abbot cried out in amazement: "Sure thou, wounded
man, would not take that long journey without a due stay for
resting! Think! Night will be upon thee before thou canst reach
home again, and the forests are beset with wolves."

The Baron laughed. "Those are not the wolves I fear," said he.
"Urge me no further, I must return to-night; yet if thou hast a
mind to do me a kindness thou canst give me some food to eat and
a flask of your golden Michaelsburg; beyond these, I ask no
further favor of any man, be he priest or layman."

"What comfort I can give thee thou shalt have," said the Abbot,
in his patient voice, and so left the room to give the needful
orders, bearing the babe with him.


V.

How Otto Dwelt at St. Michaelsburg.

So the poor, little, motherless waif lived among the old monks