XVIII
THE SWORD MAKER AT BAY
The heir-presumptive to the throne reached Frankfort very quietly in theArchbishop's barge, and was landed after nightfall at the water-steps ofthe Imperial Palace. The funeral of the Emperor took place almost as ifit were a private ceremonial. Grave trouble had been anticipated, andthe route of the procession for the short distance between Palace andCathedral was thickly lined on either side by the troops of the threeArchbishops. This precaution proved unnecessary. The dispirited citizenscared nothing for their late nominal ruler, and they manifested theirundisguised hatred of the real rulers, the Archbishops, by keepingindoors while their soldiers marched the streets.
The condition of the capital was unique. It suffered from a famine ofmoney rather than a famine of food. Frankfort starved in the midst ofplenty. Never had the earth been more fruitful than during this year,and the coming autumn promised a harvest that would fill the granariesto overflowing, yet no one brought in food to Frankfort, for the commonpeople had not the money to buy. The working population dependedentirely upon the merchants and manufacturers, and with the collapse ofmercantile business thousands were thrown out of employment, and thispenniless mob was augmented by the speedy cessation of allmanufacturing.
After the futile bread riots earlier in the year, put down sodrastically by the Archbishops, the population of the city greatlydiminished, and the country round about swarmed with homeless wanderers,who at least were sure of something to eat, but being city-bred, andconsequently useless for agricultural employment, they gradually joinedinto groups and marauding bands, greatly to the menace of the provincesthey traversed. Indeed, rumor had it that the robberies from certaincastles on the Rhine, and the burning of Furstenberg, were the work ofthese free companies, consequently a sense of uneasiness permeated theEmpire, whose rulers, great and small, began to foresee that acontinuance of this state of things meant disaster to the rich as wellas misery to the poor. Charity, spasmodic and unorganized, proved whollyunable to cope with the disaster that had befallen the capital city.
When darkness set in on the third night after Roland's return toFrankfort, he made his way out into the unlighted streets, acting withcaution until certain he was not followed, then betook himself to thePalace belonging to the Archbishop of Cologne.
The porter at first refused him entrance, and Roland, not wishing tomake himself known, declared he had an appointment with his Lordship.Trusting that the underling could not read, he presented his parchmentsafe-conduct, asking him to give that to his Lordship, with a messagethat the bearer awaited his pleasure. The suspicious servant, seeing theGrand Seal of the Empire upon the document, at once conducted Roland toa room on the ground floor, then departed with the manuscript to findhis master.
The Archbishop returned with him, the Imperial scroll in his hand, and adistinctly perceptible frown on his brow. When the servant withdrew,closing the door, the prelate said:
"Highness, this is a very dangerous procedure on your part."
"Why, my Lord?"
"Because you are certain to have been followed."
"What matter for that?" asked the young man. "I am quite unknown inFrankfort."
"Prince Roland," said the Archbishop gravely, "until your Election isactually accomplished, you would be wise to do nothing that might arousethe suspicion of Mayence. This house is watched night and day, and allwho come and go are noted. I dare say that within fifteen minutesMayence will know you have visited me."
"My dear Archbishop, they cannot note an unknown man. The uneasiness ofFrankfort has already taken hold of me, and therefore I saw to it that Iwas not followed."
"If you were not followed when you came, you will certainly be followedas you return."
"In that case, my Lord, the spies will track me to the innocent home ofHerr Goebel, the merchant, in the Fahrgasse."
"They will shadow you when you leave his house."
"Then their industry will be rewarded by an enjoyable terminus; in otherwords, the drinking cellar of the Rheingold."
"Be assured, your Highness, that ultimately you will be traced to theRoyal Palace."
"Again not so, my Lord. They will be led across the bridge into themechanics' quarter of Sachsenhausen, and if the watch continues, theymust make a night of it, for I shall enter my humble room there and goto bed."
"I see you have it all planned out," commented the discomfitedArchbishop.
The young man laughed.
"I anticipate an interesting life, my Lord, because it is my habit tothink before I act, and I notice that this apparently baffles theElectors. The truth is that you three are so subtle, and so much afraidof one another, so on the alert lest you be taken by surprise, that astraightforward action on my part throws all intrigue out of gear. Now,I'll warrant you cannot guess why I came here to-night."
"Oh, I know the reason very well."
"Do you? That astonishes me. What is the reason?"
"You came to see the Countess von Sayn."
"Ah, is the lady within? Why, of course, she must be. I remember now,she was to accompany you to Frankfort, and it naturally follows she isyour guest."
"She is my guest, your Highness, and one reason why you cannot see heris because at this moment the lady converses with the Count Palatine,who has just arrived from Gutenfels. As the Countess and myself enjoyedhis hospitality not long ago in that stronghold, I have invited him tobe my guest until the coronation ceremonies are completed."
"My Lord, I regret that your hospitality halts when it reaches yourfuture Emperor. Why may I not be introduced to the Count Palatine?"
"Such introduction must not take place except in the presence of theother Electors. I am very anxious, as you may perceive, that nothingshall be done to jeopardize your own prospects. We have arrived, yourHighness, at a critical moment. History relates that more than onecandidate has come to the very steps of the throne, only to be rejectedat the last moment. I am too sincere a friend to risk such an outcome inyour own case."
"Then you think it injudicious of me to see the Countess until after theElection?"
"I not only think it injudicious, your Highness, but I intend to preventa meeting."
Again the young man laughed.
"'Tis blessed then that I came for no such purpose; otherwise I might bedeeply disappointed."
"For what purpose did you come, Highness?"
"The Imperial Palace, my Lord, belongs no more to my mother. If she or Icontinue there to reside, we seem to be taking for granted that I shallbe elected Emperor; an assumption unfair to the seven Electors, whosechoice should be untrammeled by even a hint of influence. I beg of you,therefore, my Lord, to extend your hospitality to my mother. I havespoken to her on this subject, and she will gladly be your guest, happy,I am sure, to forsake that gloomy abode."
"I am honored, your Highness, by the opportunity you give me. I shallwait upon the Empress to-morrow at whatever hour it is convenient forher Majesty to receive me."
"You are most kind. I suggested that she should name an hour, and middaywas chosen."
The Archbishop bowed profoundly. The young man rose, and held out hishand, which the Archbishop took with cordiality. The Prince looked verystraight-forwardly at his host, and the latter thought he detected atwinkle in his eye, as he said with decision:
"To-morrow I shall formally notify my Lord of Mayence that the Empresshas chosen your Palace as her place of residence until after thecoronation, and I shall request his Lordship to crave your permissionthat I may call here every day to see my mother."
Again Cologne bowed, and made no further protest, although Rolandseemingly expected one, but as it did not come, the Prince continued:
"Here is my address in Sachsenhausen, should you wish a communication toreach me in haste; and kindly command your porter not to parley when Iagain demand speech with your Lordship. Good-night. I thank you, myLord, for your courtesy," and the energetic youth disappeared before theslow-thinking Archbishop could call up words w
ith which to reply.
Cologne did not immediately rejoin his guests, but stood a very figureof perplexity, muttering to himself:
"If our friend Mayence thinks that youngster is to be molded like softclay, he is very much mistaken. I hope Roland will not cause him to feelthe iron hand too soon. I wonder why Mayence is delaying the Election?Can it be that already he distrusts his choice, or is it the question ofa wife?"
Meanwhile the front door of the Archbishop's Palace had clanged shut,and Roland strode across the square careless or unconscious of spies,looking neither to the right nor to the left. He made his way speedilyto the Fahrgasse, walking down that thoroughfare until he came to HerrGoebel's door, where he knocked, and was admitted. Ushered into the roomwhere he had parted from the merchant, he found Herr Goebel seated athis table as if he had never left it. The merchant, with a cry ofdelight, greeted the young man.
"Well, Herr Goebel, you see I have been a successful trafficker. Yourbales of goods are all in Castle Pfalz, and I trust the barge returnedsafely to you with the money."
"It did indeed, your Highness."
"Has the coin been counted?"
"Yes; and it totals an enormous, almost unbelievable, sum, which I haveset down here to the last stiver."
"That is brave news. Have any demands been made on you for itspartition?"
"No, your Highness."
"Now, Herr Goebel, I have determined that all that money, which is ineffect stolen property, shall go to the feeding of Frankfort's poor.Buying provender shrewdly, how long would this treasure keep hunger awayfrom the gates of Frankfort?"
"That requires some calculation, your Highness."
"A month?"
"Surely so."
"Two months, perhaps?"
"'Tis likely; but I deal in cloth, not in food, and therefore cannotspeak definitely without computation and the advice of those expert inthe matter."
"Very well, Herr Goebel; get your computations made as soon as possible.Call together your merchants' guild, and ask its members--By the way,"said Roland, suddenly checking himself, "give to me in writing theamount of gold I have sent you."
The unsuspecting merchant did so, and Roland's eyes opened withastonishment when he glanced at the total. He then placed the paper inthe wallet he carried.
"You were perhaps about to suggest that a committee be appointed,"ventured the merchant.
"Yes; a small but capable committee, of which you shall be chairman andtreasurer. But first you will ask the merchants to subscribe, out oftheir known wealth, a sum equaling the gold I filched from the Barons."
The merchant's face fell, and took on a doleful expression.
"The times, your Highness, have long been very bad, none of us makingmoney--"
The Prince held up his hand, and the merchant ceased his plaint.
"If I can strip a Baron of his wealth," he said, "I will not waste wordsover the fleecing of merchants. This contribution is to be given in thename of the three Archbishops, whose heavy hands came down on you afterthe late insurrection. The Archbishops have now nine thousand troops inFrankfort. If given leave, they will collect the sum three times overwithin a very few hours; so you, as chairman of the committee, maydecide whether the fund shall be a voluntary contribution or an impostgathered by soldiery: it matters nothing to me. Have it proclaimedthroughout the city that owing to the graciousness of the threeArchbishops starvation is now at an end in Frankfort."
"Highness, with your permission, and all due deference, it seems ratherunjust that we should contribute the cash and lose the credit."
"Yes, Herr Goebel; this is a very unjust world, as doubtless many of thestarving people thought when they recollected that a few hundred of youpossessed vast wealth while they were penniless. Nevertheless, there aregood times ahead for all of us. Let me suggest that this money which Isent to you may prove sufficient and so the subscriptions of themerchants can be returned to them; that is, if the relief fund ishonestly administered. So set to work early to-morrow with energy. Youmerchants have had a long vacation. I think the Rhine will be openbefore many weeks are past, and then you can turn to your money-making,but our first duty is to feed the hungry. Good-night, Herr Goebel."
He left the merchant as dazed as was the Archbishop. Once again outsidehe made directly for the wine cellar of the Rheingold. On reaching thesteps he heard a roar of talk, lightened now and then by the sound oflaughter. He paused a moment before descending. It was evident that thecompany was enjoying itself, and Roland soliloquized somewhat sadly:
"I am the disturbing element in that group. They seem to agree famouslywhen by themselves. Ah, well, no matter. They will soon be rid of me!"
When Roland descended the stair, the proprietor greeted him with joy.
"I have missed you, Herr Roland," he said, "so you may imagine how muchthe guild has regretted your absence."
"Yes; I hear them bemoaning their fate."
The inn-keeper laughed.
"How many are here to-night?"
"There is a full house, Sir Roland."
"Really? Are Kurzbold and Gensbein within?"
"Oh, yes; and there is no scarcity of money, thanks to you, Iunderstand."
"Rather, our thanks are for ever due to you, Herr Host, for sustainingus so long when we were penniless. We shall never forget that," and sowith a semi-military salute to the gratified cellar-man, Roland pushedopen the door and entered the banqueting room of the iron-workers'guild. An instant silence fell on the group.
"Good evening to you, gentlemen," said the Prince, taking off his hat,and with a twist of his shoulders flinging the cloak from them.
Instantly arose a great cheer, and Greusel, who occupied the chair atthe head of the table, strode forward, took Roland's hat and cloak, andhung them up. After that he attempted to lead their Captain to the seatof honor.
"No, no, my dear lieutenant," said Roland, placing his handaffectionately on the other's shoulder, "a better man than I occupiesthe chair, and shall never be displaced by me."
The others, now on their feet, with the exception of Kurzbold andGensbein, vociferously demanded that Roland take the chair. Smilingly heshook his head, and holding up his hand for silence, addressed them.
"Take your seats, comrades; and, Greusel, if you force me to give acommand, I order you into that chair without further protest."
Greusel, with evident reluctance, obeyed.
"Truth to tell, brothers, I have but a few moments to stop. I merelydropped in to enjoy a sip of wine with you, and to offer a proposalthat, within five minutes, will make me the most unpopular man in thisroom, therefore you see my wisdom in refusing a chair from which Ishould be very promptly ejected."
One of the members poured a tankard full of wine from a flagon, andhanded it to Roland, who, saluting the company, drank.
"You did not divide the money, Greusel?"
"No, Roland. We gave each man five hundred thalers, to keep as best hemight. We then concealed the rest of the gold between the bottom of theboat and its inner planking. Ebearhard and I construed your orderssomewhat liberally, conceiving it was your desire to get our treasureand ourselves safely into Frankfort."
"Quite right," corroborated Roland.
"When morning came upon us, we soon discovered that the whole countrywas aroused, because of the destruction of Furstenberg and the lootingof Sonneck. No one knew where the next raid would strike, and thereforethe whole country-side was in a turmoil. Now, the only fact known to thedespoiled was that a long black barge had appeared in front of theCastle while the attack was made from behind. We realized that it wouldbe impossible for us to go up the river except in darkness, so in caseof a search we concealed the treasure where it was not likely to be comeat, and each day lay quiet at an unfrequented part of the river, rowingall night. Not until we reached the Main did we venture on a daylightvoyage. It was agreed among us unanimously that the money should beplaced in Herr Goebel's keeping until you returned."
"That was all excellently
done," commented Roland. "I have just been tosee Herr Goebel, and was surprised to learn how much we had actuallytaken. And now I ask you to make a great sacrifice. This city isstarving. If we give that gold to its relief, the merchants of Frankfortwill contribute an equal amount. I do not know how long such a totalwill keep the wolves from the doors of Frankfort; probably for sixmonths. I shall learn definitely to-morrow." Here Roland outlined hisplan of relief, which was received in silence.
Kurzbold spoke up.
"I should like to know how much the total is?"
"That is a matter with which you have nothing to do," growled Greusel;then, turning to Roland, who had not yet taken a seat, he said: "So faras my share is concerned, I agree."
"I agree," added Ebearhard; and so it went down along each side of thetable until eighteen had spoken.
Kurzbold rose with a smile on his face.
"I don't know how it is, ex-Captain, that the moment you come among usthere seems to arise a spirit of disputation."
"Curiously enough, Herr Kurzbold, that same thought arose in my mind asI listened to your hilarity before I entered. I beg to add, for yoursatisfaction, that this is my last visit to the guild, and never againshall I disturb its harmony."
"There is no lack of harmony," cried Ebearhard, laughing, as he rose."The agreement has been practically unanimous--quite unanimous in fact,among those entitled to share in the great treasure. I believe HerrKurzbold has a claim, if it has not been forfeited, to the loot ofRheinstein."
"Now, even the genial Ebearhard," continued Kurzbold, "although hiswords are blameless, speaks with a certain tone of acerbity, while myfriend Greusel has become gruff as a bear."
"You need not labor that point, Herr Kurzbold," said Roland. "I haveresigned."
"I just wished to remark," Kurzbold went on, "that I rose for thepurpose of stating I had some slight share in something; stolenproperty; honor among thieves, you know. Are my rights to this sharedisputed?"
"No," said the chairman shortly.
"Very well," concluded Kurzbold, "as I am graciously permitted to speakin the august presence of our ex-Captain, I desire to say that whatevermy share happens to be, I bestow it gladly, nay, exultantly, upon thepoor of Frankfort."
With that Kurzbold sat down, and there was first a roar of laughter,followed by a clapping of hands. Gensbein rose, and said briefly:
"I do as Kurzbold does."
"Now," said Roland, "I want a number of volunteers to start out into thecountry early to-morrow morning, Greusel, you, as chairman, willdesignate the routes. Each man is to penetrate as far as he can alongthe main roads, asking the farmers to bring everything in the shape offood they have to sell. Tell them a vast sum has been collected, andthat their cartloads will be bought entire the moment they enter thecity. There will be no waiting for their money. Prompt payment, andeverything eatable purchased immediately. Greusel, I put on you thehardest task. Penetrate into the forest south of the Main, and tell thecharcoal-burners and woodmen to bring in material for kitchen fires. Howmany will volunteer?"
Every man rose. Roland thanked them. "I shall now divulge a secret, andyou will see that when it was told to me I remembered your interests. Ithas been my privilege to meet, since I saw you, more than one man who isa ruler in this Empire."
"Did they tell you who is to be the new Emperor?" cried one.
"That is known only to the Electors. But what I was about to say isthis. There are to be established by the Government ironworks on a scalehitherto unknown in any land. I believe, and did my best to inculcatethat belief in others, that we are on the verge of an age of iron, and,knowing your skill, I am privileged to offer each of you thesuperintendency of a department, with compensation never before given solavishly in Germany. I am also induced to believe that the new Emperorwill bestow a title on each of you who desire such honor, so that therecan be no question of your right to wear a sword. Greusel, you mustreceive reports from each of our food scouts, and I shall be glad toknow the outcome, if you take the trouble to call upon me any hour afternine o'clock at night, at my old room in Sachsenhausen. And now,good-night, and good-luck to you all."
Roland went over the bridge, and so reached his room on the other side.He glanced around several times to satisfy himself he was not spiedupon, and laughed at the apprehension of the Archbishop. Entering hisroom, he lit a lamp, took off his cloak and flung it on the bed, thenunbuckled his sword-belt and hung it and the weapon on a peg, placinghis cloak above them. He was startled by a loud knock at the door, andstood for a moment astonished, until it was repeated with the sternwarning:
"Open in the name of the Archbishop!"
The young man strode forward, drew back the bolt, and flung open thedoor. An officer, with two soldiers behind him, came across thethreshold, and at the side-motion of the officer's head a soldier closedand bolted the door. Roland experienced a momentary thrill ofindignation at this rude intrusion, then he remembered he was amechanic, and that his line must be the humble and deferential.
"You came to-night from the Imperial Palace. What were you doing there?"
"I was trying to gain admission, sir."
"For what purpose?"
"I wished," said Roland, rapidly outlining his defense in his own mind,"I wished to see some high officer; some one of your own position, sir,but was not so fortunate as to succeed. I could not pass the sentrieswithout a permit, which I did not then possess, but hope to acquireto-morrow."
"Again I ask, for what purpose?"
"For a purpose which causes me delight in meeting your excellency."
"I am no excellency. Come to the point! For what purpose?"
"To show the officer a sword of such superior quality that a man armedwith it, and given a certain amount of skill, stands impregnable."
"Do you mean to tell me you went to the Royal Palace for the purpose ofselling a second-hand sword?"
"Oh, no, my lord."
"Do not be so free with your titles. Call me Lieutenant."
"Well, Lieutenant, sir; I hope to get orders for a hundred, or perhaps athousand of these weapons."
"Where did you go after leaving the Palace?"
"I went to the residence of that great Prince of the Church, theArchbishop of Cologne."
"Ah! You did not succeed in seeing his Lordship, I suppose?"
"Pardon me, Lieutenant, but I did. His Lordship is keenly interested inboth weapons and armor."
"Did he give you an order for swords?"
"No, Lieutenant; he seems to be a very cautious man. He asked me tovisit him in Cologne, or if I could not do that, to see his general, nowin Frankfort. You understand, Lieutenant, the presence of the threeArchbishops with their armies offers me a great opportunity, by which Ihope to profit."
The officer looked at him with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Where next did you go?"
"I went to the house of a merchant in the Fahrgasse."
"Ah, that tale doesn't hold! Merchants are not allowed to wear swords."
"No, Lieutenant, but a merchant on occasion can supply capital that willenable a skilled workman to accept a large contract. If I should see thegeneral of his Lordship to-morrow, and he gave me an order for, say, twothousand swords, I have not enough money to buy the metal, and I couldnot ask for payment until I delivered the weapons."
"Did the merchant agree to capitalize you?"
"He, too, was a cautious man, Lieutenant. He wished first to see thecontract, and know who stood responsible for payment."
"Wise man," commented the officer; "and so, disheartened, I suppose, youreturned here?"
"No, Lieutenant; the day has been warm, and I have traveled a good deal.I went from the merchant's house to the Rheingold tavern, there to drinka tankard of wine with my comrades, a score of men who have formed whatthey call the ironworkers' guild. I drank a tankard with them, and thencame direct here, where I arrived but a few moments ago."
The officer was more and more puzzled. Despite this young man'sdefer
ential manner, his language was scarcely that of a mechanic, yetthis certainly was his own room, and he had told the absolute truthabout his wanderings, as one who has nothing to fear.
The Lieutenant stood for a space of time with eyes to the floor, assilent as the soldiers behind him. Suddenly he looked up.
"Show me the sword. I'll tell you where it's made!"
If he expected hesitation he was mistaken. Roland gave a joyful cry,swept aside the cloak, whisked forth the sword, flung it up, and caughtit by the blade, then with a low bow handed it to the officer, whoflashed it through the air, bent the blade between finger and thumb,then took it near the lamp and scrutinized it with the eye of an expert.
"A good weapon, my friend. Where was it made? I have never seen one likeit."
"It was made by my own hands here in Frankfort. Of course I go first tothose who know least about the matter, but if I can get an introductionto his Lordship of Mayence, his officers will know a sword when they seeit; and I hope to-night fortune, in leading you to my door, has broughtme an officer of Mayence."
The Lieutenant looked at him, and for the first time smiled. He handedback the weapon, signed to his men to unbolt the door, which they did,stepping out; then he said:
"I bid you good-night. Your answers have been satisfactory, but I setyou down not as a mechanic, but a very excellent merchant of swords."
"Lieutenant," said Roland, "you do not flatter me." He raised his weaponin military salute. "I am no merchant, but a sword maker."