Down, down, down. Suddenly he felt Hans draw a deep breath;
there was a slight jar, and Otto opened his eyes; Hans was
standing upon the ground.

A figure wrapped in a dark cloak arose from the shadow of the
wall, and took Otto in its arms. It was Baron Conrad.

"My son - my little child!" he cried, in a choked, trembling
voice, and that was all. And Otto pressed his cheek against his
father's and began crying.

Suddenly the Baron gave a sharp, fierce cry. "Dear Heaven!" he
cried; "what have they done to thee?" But poor little Otto could
not answer.

"Oh!" gasped the Baron, in a strangled voice, "my little child!
my little child!" And therewith he broke down, and his whole
body shook with fierce, dry sobs; for men in those days did not
seek to hide their grief as they do now, but were fierce and
strong in the expression of that as of all else.

"Never mind, dear father," whispered Otto; "it did not hurt me
so very much," and he pressed his lips against his father's
cheek.

Little Otto had but one hand.


XII.