Nemesis
It was not until the next day that Feodor learned all that had taken
place in the outer world.
A company of armed men were now advancing against his fortifications
from the direction of the island, while the war-ship had turned her
broadside with its triple row of guns against the tower.
After landing a party to storm the building from the land side, the
_St. Thomas_ had stood off for the attack.
In conformity with custom, the besiegers, before beginning the
assault, summoned the fortress to surrender in order that the shedding
of blood might be avoided.
The Very Reverend Herr Waimoener, accompanied by a herald, came as a
messenger of peace to the great door of the tower and, with the blast
of a trumpet, called upon its commander to take part in peaceful
negotiations.
Feodor sent him the hunchback who acted as his castellan. "The fellow
is stone-deaf," said he; "let them negotiate with him!"
But the hunchback was not stone-deaf--at least when he cared to hear.
He merely chose to deceive the deceivers.
Right well did he understand the reverend gentleman's summons.
According to it, every man would be granted free departure, immunity
from all punishment, and as much of the tower's treasure as his
shoulders could bear, if only the Master were delivered alive into the
hands of justice.
The castellan first returned and imparted the news to those of his
companions who were keeping watch at the door. These passed it on to
the others.
At this juncture the Master appeared in their midst. As of yore they
gathered round him and listened attentively to his words.
"Men!" cried Feodor, "we have now to stand the test of fire, and show
the world what forty fellows like us can do in a stronghold like this.
We have magnificent guns and enough ammunition and provisions to last
till doomsday. We will sweep away all who attempt to creep along that
rocky ridge, and will send that ship to the bottom should she dare to
come within range of our guns."
He paused as if to observe the effect of his words upon those around
him, but there was not the spirited response which he had expected.
"Even if we be overcome," he went on desperately, "is it not enough if
we send the tower and our enemies into the air together, our hands
gripping their throats to the last? Thus, either they will bear us
aloft with them to Heaven--or we will drag them down with us to Hell.
Up, then, and ready with fire and sword!"
Time was when such an address would have been greeted with a storm of
applause. Now it was received with silence and strangely sullen faces.
Presently the hunchback stepped forth from the band.
"Master," he said, "I have heard all your fine words--for, you see, I
am not always deaf--and must say now that it is a very beautiful
religion, this that you have taught us. 'That which is agreeable to me
is right; that which is hurtful to another is not wrong.' Fidelity,
too, is a virtue--then it is not for us, the Devil's children! All you
say is good--very good indeed. However, we have been promised freedom
and a sackful of your treasure if we only deliver you up alive. That
is quite agreeable to us; so it is right. You will certainly be
quartered. That is, indeed, hurtful to you; so it is not wrong. If we
do not remain true to you we shall still please the Devil perfectly,
for fidelity--as you have ever preached--is a virtue. Therefore we
will rather give you up than accompany you in the aërial flight you
speak of."
They all laughed loudly in chorus, and Feodor laughed strangely along
with them.
"What is agreeable to me is right; what is hurtful to another is not
wrong!" the men shouted derisively in his very face.
This, then, was to be the triumph of his religion!
They had evidently learned their lesson only too well from him.
"But you will get nothing by your treachery!" exclaimed the Master
suddenly.
And ere they could lay hands on him he had drawn a pistol from his
belt; there was a click and a flash, and Feodor von Ungern fell dead
in their midst.
* * * * *
Alexander and Paul returned to Russia, and like brothers shared the
property of their estranged parents between them.
* * * * *
But the Tower of Dago still rises high above the rocky promontory of
the island, and serves as the safe untroubled haunt of the wild
sea-birds for miles around.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]