IN QUEST OF A WIFE WITH A TROOP OF HORSE.
When Count Bertrich flung himself from his horse in front of the
Archbishop's summer palace at Zurlauben, and strode hastily up the steps
that led to the entrance, he passed through the crowded hall, looking
neither to the right nor the left until he reached the ante-chamber that
communicated with the large room in which the Elector transacted his
business. The waiting and excited throng in the hall made way for him,
as the great war-lord and acknowledged favourite of the powerful
Archbishop went clanking through among them clad in full armour, paying
not the slightest heed to their salutations.
The Count found the secretary ready to conduct him instantly into the
presence of the Archbishop, and together, in silence, they entered the
lofty apartment that was part chapel and part throne-room.
At the further end of the noble presence-chamber Arnold von Isenberg
paced back and forward across the polished floor, his hands clasped
behind him, a dark frown on his downward bent brow. He was clad in the
long silken robes of his priestly office, and their folds hissed behind
him like a following litter of serpents as he walked. He paused in his
promenade when the Count and the monk entered, and, straightening his
tall form, stood regarding them in silence, until the secretary slipped
noiselessly from the room and left the summoned and summoner alone
together.
"You are here at last," began the Archbishop, coldly. "It is full time
you arrived. Your bride has fled."
"Fled? The Countess Tekla?"
"You have no other, I trust," continued the Prince of the Church, in
even, unimpassioned tones. "My first thought on learning she was missing
made me apprehensive that the girl had anticipated the marriage ceremony
by flying to your notoriously open arms, and I expected to be asked to
bless a bridal somewhat hastily encompassed; but I assume from your
evident surprise that she has been given the strength to resist
temptation which takes the form of your mature and manly virtues."
The sword cut across Count Bertrich's face reddened angrily as he
listened to the sneering, contemptuous words of the Archbishop, but he
kept his hot temper well in hand and said nothing. The manner of his
over-lord changed, and he spoke sharply and decisively, as one whose
commands admit neither question nor discussion.
"Last night the Countess Tekla took it upon herself to disappear. The
guards say she passed them going outward about ten o'clock, and no one
saw her return. This leads me to suspect that, with childish craftiness,
the passing of the guards was merely a ruse on her part, intended to
mislead, and so although I pay little attention to such a transparent
wile, I have taken all precautions and have already acted on the clue
thus placed in my hands, for there is every chance that the girl is
indeed a fool; we usually err in ascribing too much wisdom to our fellow
creatures. Regarding the proposed marriage, which, strange and
unaccountable as it may appear to me, and must appear to you, the
Countess seemed to view with little favour, she threatened to appeal to
the Emperor and also to his Holiness the Pope." On mentioning the name
of the latter, the Archbishop slightly inclined his head. "I take small
account of the Emperor, but have nevertheless sent a body of fleet
troopers along the Frankfort road in case she meant what she said, which
I suppose may sometimes happen with a woman. They know not whom they
seek, but have orders to arrest and bring back every woman they find,
therefore we are like to have shortly in Treves a screaming bevy of
females, enough to set any city mad. I have thrown out a drag-net, and
we shall have some queer fish when it is pulled in. But to you and to
you alone, Count Bertrich, do I reveal my mind; see therefore that you
make no mistake. The fool has taken to the water and is now committed to
the sinuous Moselle.
"She said nothing in her protests about her uncle of Thuron, and unless
I am grievously misled, the crooked talons of the black vulture are in
this business. He has doubtless provided boat and crew, and they are
making their way down the river in the night, concealing themselves
during the day. They will avoid Bruttig and Cochem. Make you therefore
for Bruttig with what speed you may, sparing neither horse nor man;
yourself I know you will not spare. If nothing has been heard of them
there, order a chain across the river that will stop all traffic and set
a night guard upon it; then press on to Thuron across the country by the
most direct line you can follow, coming back up the river to intercept
them, for their outlook will be entirely directed toward what is
following them. If, in spite of all our precautions, the girl reaches
Thuron, seek instant entrance to the castle and audience with the Black
Count. Demand in my name, immediate custody of the body of Countess
Tekla; if this is refused, declare castle and lands forfeit and Heinrich
outlaw. Retire at once to Cochem, where I shall join you with my army.
And now to horse and away. Success here depends largely on speed."
Count Bertrich made no reply but sank on one knee, rose quickly and left
the room. The expression on his face as he passed through the multitude
in the great hall was not such as to invite inquiry, and no one accosted
him.
"There is war in that red scar of Bertrich's," said an officer to
another.
Outside the Count flung himself on his horse, gave a brief word of
command to his waiting troop, and galloped away at the head of his men.
He made no attempt to pursue the extremely crooked course of the upper
river, but, knowing the country well, he left the Moselle some distance
below Treves, and, taking a rude thoroughfare that was more path than
road, followed it up hill and down dale through the forest. He was
determined to reach Bruttig that night, hoping to finish the journey by
moonlight, taking advantage of the long summer day and riding as hard as
horseflesh could endure. When the day wore on to evening Bertrich saw
that he had set to himself no easy task, for in the now pathless forest,
speedy progress became more and more difficult, and when the moon rose,
the density of the growth overhead allowed her light to be of little
avail. Several times a halt was sounded and the bugle called the troop
together, for now all attempt at regularity of march had been abandoned,
but on each occasion the numbers thus gathered were fewer than when the
former rally was held. In spite of his temporary loss of men, Bertrich,
with stubborn persistence, determined to push on, even if he reached
Bruttig alone. For an hour they pressed northward to find the river
which they now needed as a guide, knowing they would come upon it at
Bruttig or at least some short distance above or below it, but before
the Moselle was reached they suddenly met an unexpected check. The
outposts of an unseen band commanded them to stop and give account of
themselves.
"Who dares to bar the way of the Archbishop's troops?" demanded Count
Bertrich.
"It is the Archbishop's troops that we are here to stop. Will you fight
or halt?" was the answer.
Bertrich, with his exhausted men and jaded horses, was in no condition
to fight, yet was he most anxious to pursue his way, and get some
information of his whereabouts, so he spoke with less imperiousness than
his impulse at first prompted.
"I am Count Bertrich, commanding a division of his Lordship's army. I am
on a peaceful mission, and, when I left his Lordship this morning, he
had no quarrel with any. There has been some misunderstanding, and I
should be loath to add to it by drawing sword unless I am attacked."
"You shall not be molested if you stay where you are. If, however, you
attempt to advance, our orders are to fall upon you," said a voice from
the darkness.
Noticing that the voice which now spoke was not the one that had first
challenged, Count Bertrich said,
"Are you in command, or am I speaking to a sentinel?"
"I am in command."
"Then who are you and whom do you serve?"
"Doubtless you are well aware whom I serve?"
"I know no more than the Archbishop himself."
"That I can well believe, and still would not hold you ignorant."
"We are talking at cross purposes, fellow. There must be, as I have
said, some mistake, for the domains of the Archbishop are in a state of
peace. There is no secret about my destination as there is none about
the name which I have rendered to you. I am bound for Bruttig and hope
to reach there before day dawns."
"My master knew of your destination and that is why I am here to prevent
you reaching it."
"What you allege is impossible. None knew of my destination save the
Archbishop and myself, and I have ridden from Treves with such use of
spur that news of my coming could not have forestalled me. Again I ask
you whom you serve."
"That you doubtless guess, for you know whom you are sent against, and
why you ride to Bruttig."
"You speak in riddles; what have you to fear from plain answers?"
"I fear nothing. My duty is not to answer questions but to arrest your
progress toward Bruttig. If you have questions to ask, ask them of Count
Beilstein."
"Oh ho! Then it is to Count Beilstein I owe this midnight discourtesy. I
thank you for that much information, which is to me entirely unexpected.
Where is the Count?"
"He is at Bruttig."
"How far is that from where we stand?"
"Something more than a league."
"I cannot comprehend why Count Beilstein should endeavour to prevent my
reaching Bruttig, nor how he can be aware of an expedition of which
neither the Archbishop nor myself knew aught this morning. In addition
to this, Bruttig is under the joint jurisdiction of my master and yours
and the Count of Winneburg, therefore the retainers of each over-lord
have free entrance to the place."
"Such was indeed the case until the Archbishop broke the truce. Now
Beilstein and Winneburg have combined, overthrown the Archbishop's
jurisdiction, and they hold Bruttig together, with the men of the
Elector prisoners."
"In the Fiend's name when did this take place? We knew nothing of it at
Treves. How broke the Archbishop the truce?"
"It was broken by an emissary of his, who by magic sword-play slew my
master's Captain, leaving in his neck a hole no bigger than a pin's
point, yet enough to let out the life of my fellow soldier. Then when
there was outcry at this foul play, the fellow, being sore pressed,
cries 'Treves, Treves,' claiming that the wench with him was no other
than the ward of the Archbishop----"
"Ha! Say you so? And what then?"
"Thereupon the Archbishop's Captain bugles up the men of Treves, rallies
round the emissary of his crafty Lordship, and makes rescue, escorting
him later, wench and all, to his Lordship's stronghold of Cochem, where
doubtless they think themselves safe. But Beilstein, issuing from his
castle, went forthwith to Bruttig, joined with Winneburg, made prisoners
of the men of Treves, and sent me here in force to intercept any whom
they expected the Archbishop would shortly send, as indeed he seems to
have done under your distinguished leadership."
"You fill me with amazement. There is, as I surmised, a
misunderstanding, and one of no small moment, which we must make it our
business to set right. It is therefore most important that I should have
speech with your master and that speedily. I pray you instantly to
escort me with your men to Bruttig."
"That may I not do, my Lord. My orders are strict and Count Beilstein is
not the man to overlook divergence from them."
"Then come with me yourself; I shall go as your prisoner or in any guise
you please, so that no time be lost. My men will camp here for the
night."
"I cannot part company from my orders, which are to stop you or to fight
with you if you refuse to stand."
"But the man you call emissary of the Archbishop, who killed your
comrade, is the one I travel in hot haste to arrest. Him the Archbishop
will gladly yield to your master for fitting punishment, but while we
babble here, time flies and he with it."
"It will take more than the bare word of any follower of Treves to make
my master believe that the murderer, who went jauntily with escort of
the Archbishop's men to the Archbishop's castle in Cochem, is one whom
the Archbishop is desirous of handing over to my Lord for punishment,
still this much I may do. I will send at once a fleet messenger to my
Lord at Bruttig, acquainting him with your presence here, and that
messenger will take any word you are pleased to send to Count
Beilstein."
Count Bertrich sighed as he agreed to this, for he was too strict a
disciplinarian himself not to know that the Captain who offered to do
this much, dare not wander from the definite instructions he had
received. He had at first some thought of beseeching Beilstein to send
instant word to Cochem to hold within the castle all who lodged there,
until the arrival of commands from the Archbishop, but he was loath to
divulge to Beilstein and Winneburg the full facts of the case, and he
was well aware that, without doing so, he would have some difficulty in
explaining his own presence, which seemed to tally so exactly with the
forecasts of those now temporarily opposing him. However, a league was
but a short distance and a swift messenger would speedily cover it. His
men, thoroughly exhausted, were, many of them, asleep in their saddles,
and although he himself was still eager to be on his way, he saw that
any attempt to move onward would be futile and would still further
complicate the already intricate condition of things, so he contented
himself with sending a message to the Count, the purport of which was,
that there had been a mistake which the Archbishop would speedily
rectify, and that it was imperative for the capture of the criminal,
that an immediate conference should take place between Count Beilstein
and himself.
This done, he gave the order for dismounting and resting until the
messenger returned. A camp was formed and picketed to prevent surprise,
although he had little fear of an attack, as he had evidently convinced
the opposing Captain of his good faith, yet the military instinct was
strong in Count Bertrich, and he took all the precautions which suggest
themselves to a man in an enemy's country. The moment he threw himself
on the ground he fell into a sound and much needed sleep.
It was daylight when one of the sentinels awoke him, saying the
messenger had returned. Count Beilstein gave Bertrich choice of three
courses of action: first, he might come alone to Bruttig; second, he
might bring his men with him, provided they first deliver up their arms
to the Captain who had stopped him; third, he might fight. Count
Bertrich quickly decided. He ordered his followers to deliver up their
arms to the Captain, he himself retaining his weapons, and thus they
marched into Bruttig. It was soon made apparent to both the opposing
nobles that the unknown young man who had proved himself so expert a
swordsman was no minion of the Archbishop. The Archbishop's Captain had
not yet returned from Cochem, so the only one who could give a connected
account of what had taken place was Winneburg's Captain, who, under the
shrewd cross-questioning of Count Bertrich, speedily proved that no
document had passed between the young man and the Archbishop's leader;
that, in fact, the Captain had several times asked for such, but it had
not been produced.
"It is as I suspected," said Count Bertrich, "the person who held a
passport from Frankfort is a follower of Black Heinrich, whose object is
but too evident. He seeks to embroil you with the Archbishop, and has
come perilously near to success. If the scoundrel is still at Cochem,
into which castle I assure you he went with extreme reluctance, and only
under pressure of circumstances, for you learn from your own man that he
refused to send a messenger to Treves when the Captain offered to
dispatch one, then we have him fast, and I undertake, on my own
responsibility, to deliver him to the just vengeance of Count Beilstein.
What I fear is, that this unfortunate delay has given him time to slip
away from Cochem and betake himself to Thuron, where we may have to
smoke him out, if Black Heinrich refuses to deliver him to us. As to
this imprisoning of the Archbishop's men in the absence of their
Captain, I think the least said about it the better. I shall certainly
not dwell upon it when I return to Treves, but I would suggest that they
be liberated without further delay. The Archbishop was not in the
happiest temper when I parted from him yesterday, and one can never
predict with certainty what he may do under provocation. I have myself
been so anxious to avoid any cause of offence, that I have gone to the
extreme length of disarming my men and coming unprotected among you, an
act for which his Lordship is little likely to commend me, should it
come to his ears. The moment their weapons are restored, I shall journey
to Cochem and endeavour to catch my young swordsman."
Winneburg, the quarrel being none of his, having slept on the matter,
and seeing more clearly than he did on the previous day the danger of
entangling himself with so formidable an antagonist as the Archbishop of
Treves, at once admitted that there had been a misunderstanding all
round, and expressed his willingness to revert to the former condition
of things, as the Archbishop, through Count Bertrich, had disclaimed the
doings of their visitor of the day before. Beilstein, more hot-headed
and more stubborn, was reluctant to admit himself in the wrong, but if
his ally fell from him, there was nothing for it but submission, with
the best grace he could bring to bear on his retreat; and certainly
Bertrich seemed in no way disposed to impose hard conditions, so he gave
order that the prisoners should be released, and that their arms should
be returned to Bertrich's men.
Having eaten, Count Bertrich and his troop hastened down the river,
hoping to intercept the fugitives at Cochem. In sight of the castle he
met the Captain and his dozen horsemen returning. He sent all back with
the exception of one man, whom he forwarded to Treves to acquaint the
Archbishop with what had taken place. The Captain was ordered to detain
the Countess Tekla in Cochem Castle until the Archbishop's pleasure
should be known; to arrest the young man who accompanied her, take him
to Bruttig, and deliver him to Count Beilstein. Then taking but two
followers with him, Count Bertrich struck across the country direct for
Thuron Castle. He approached that stronghold with caution, keeping to
the high lands above the castle until he espied on the other side of the
river the party of whom he was in search, and saw that they had indeed
stolen away from Cochem. Coming down to the river edge, keeping all the
while in concealment as much as the nature of the country permitted,
knowing there was danger in crossing the stream in full view of Thuron
Castle itself, but nevertheless not hesitating for a moment, he and his
two men plunged their horses into the flood and won the other side a
little below the promontory of Hattonis Porta. Stealthily ascending the
hill, hoping to take the party by surprise, but in any case having not
the slightest doubt of the result of the encounter, Count Bertrich found
himself within range of the alert eyes of the English archer.