Emperor, and what I have gained thereby - my castle burnt, my
people slain, and this poor, simple child, my only son,
mutilated by my enemy.

"And thou, my Lord Baron?" said Hans.

"I will stay here," said the Baron, quietly, "and keep back
those who follow as long as God will give me grace so to do."

A murmur of remonstrance rose among the faithful few who were
with him, two of whom were near of kin. But Conrad of
Drachenhausen turned fiercely upon them.

"How now," said he, "have I fallen so low in my troubles that
even ye dare to raise your voices against me? By the good
Heaven, I will begin my work here by slaying the first man who
dares to raise word against my bidding." Then he turned from
them. "Here, Hans," said he, "take the boy; and remember, knave,
what thou hast sworn."

He pressed Otto close to his breast in one last embrace. "My
little child," he murmured, "try not to hate thy father when
thou thinkest of him hereafter, even though he be hard and
bloody as thou knowest."

But with his suffering and weakness, little Otto knew nothing of
what was passing; it was only as in a faint flickering dream
that he lived in what was done around him.

"Farewell, Otto," said the Baron, but Otto's lips only moved