Nothing was to be seen but that one patch of blue sky far up in
the wall. No sound from without was to be heard in that gloomy
cell of stone, for the window pierced the outer wall, and the
earth and its noises lay far below.

Suddenly a door crashed without, and the footsteps of men were
heard coming along the corridor. They stopped in front of Otto's
cell; he heard the jingle of keys, and then a loud rattle of one
thrust into the lock of the heavy oaken door. The rusty bolt was
shot back with a screech, the door opened, and there stood Baron
Henry, no longer in his armor, but clad in a long black robe
that reached nearly to his feet, a broad leather belt was
girdled about his waist, and from it dangled a short, heavy
hunting sword.

Another man was with the Baron, a heavy-faced fellow clad in a
leathern jerkin over which was drawn a short coat of linked
mail.

The two stood for a moment looking into the room, and Otto, his
pale face glimmering in the gloom, sat upon the edge of the
heavy wooden bench or bed, looking back at them out of his great
blue eyes. Then the two entered and closed the door behind them.

"Dost thou know why thou art here?" said the Baron, in his deep,
harsh voice.

"Nay," said Otto, "I know not."