last given charge of the lad, under oath that she would teach him to
forget who he was, the fierce Outlaw threatening death to both woman
and child were his orders disobeyed. She has come willingly with me
hoping to suffer death now that one she loved more than son has died
through her first fault."

Then to the amazement of the pallid messenger the Count laughed aloud
and called for Wilhelm, who, when he was brought, clasped the trembling
old woman in his arms, overjoyed to see her again and eager to learn
news of the camp. How was the stout Gottlieb? Had the messenger seen
Captain Heinrich? and so on.

"Indeed, my young Lord," answered the overjoyed woman "there was such
turmoil in the camp that I was glad to be quit of it with unbroken
bones. When the Outlaw proclaimed that you were hanged, there was
instant rebellion among his followers, who thought that your capture
was merely a trick to be speedily amended, being intended to form a
laughing matter to your discomfiture when you returned. They swore
they would have torn down Schonburg with their bare hands rather than
have left you in jeopardy, had they known their retreat imperilled your
life."

"The brave lads!" cried the young man in a glow of enthusiasm, "and
here have I been maligning them for cowards! What was the outcome?"

"That I do not know, my Lord, being glad to escape from the ruffians
with unfractured head."

The result of the embassy was speedily apparent at Schonburg. Two days
later, in the early morning, the custodians at the gate were startled