This would do for the first bandage. The skilful hand which, in battle,
had aided many a bleeding comrade soon completed the task.

Then he flung his uninjured cloak around him again, and turned toward the
lifeless body at the foot of the steps.

There lay the murderer's weapon--a delicately fashioned short dress
sword, with an ivory hilt, not the knife of a common highwayman.

That was the reason the wound was so narrow.

But who had sought his life with this dainty steel blade?

There were few at court who envied him the Emperor's favour--his office
often compelled him to deny even persons of higher rank access to his
Majesty; but he had never--this he could assure himself--treated even men
of humble station harshly or unjustly. If he had offended any one by
haughty self-confidence, it had been unintentional. He was not to blame
for the manner natural to the Castilian.

Besides, he had little time for reflection; scarcely had he hastily wiped
off with the little cloak that lay beside him the blood which covered the
face of the prostrate man than he started back in horror, for the person
who had sought his life was the very one whom he had honoured with his
highest confidence, and had chosen as the teacher and companion of the
wife who was dearer than his own existence.

Some cruel misunderstanding, some pitiable mistake must have been at work
here, and he came upon the right trail speedily enough.