usting you from him with such iron relentlessness. I
saw him afterwards when you had disappeared. He broke into the wildest
anguish and I caught a glimpse of the father's heart which loved his son
above all else on earth. Have you made no effort since then to convince
him?"

"No, he would believe me as little as did Egon. He who has once broken
his word destroys all belief in himself, no matter though he afterwards
give his life in defense of truth. Had I met my death upon the
battle-field, perhaps his eyes and Egon's would have been opened. Now
when I fall by my own hand, the few who know my life will say, 'it was
his guilt which drove him to despair, and forced him to commit the
deed.'"

"No," said Adelheid softly, "one would not say it. I believe in you
Hartmut, despite everything."

He looked at her, and through the gray hopelessness of despair a gleam
of the old light shone forth.

"You, Ada? And you tell me this on the very spot where you condemned me?
At that time, too, you knew nothing--"

"That was why I had a horror of the man to whom nothing was holy, who
knew no law but his own passions; but when I saw you pleading at your
father's feet, I felt fate rather than guilt had led you astray. Since
then I have known that you could not throw aside that unfortunate
heritage of your mother. Rouse yourself, Hartmut! The way which I showed
you then is yet open. Whether it leads to life or death--it leads onward
and upward."

Hartmut shook his head darkly!

"No, that has all gone by now. You do not know what my father did for me
with his frightful words, what my life has been since then; but I will
be silent, no one would understand. I thank you for your belief in me,
Ada. My death will be easier."

"God help us! You dare not do it."

"What value has life for me?" said Hartmut with great excitement. "My
mother has marked me with a brand as of seething iron, and that mark
closes every door to atonement, to salvation. I am alone, condemned,
thrust out from my own countrymen. Why, even the poorest peasant can
fight; that right is denied only to the criminal without honor, and such
I am in Egon's eyes. He fears that I would only join with my own
countrymen to betray them, to--be a spy!" He put his hands over his
face, and his last words died out in a groan. Then he felt a hand laid
gently on his arm.

"The stigma lies in the name of Rojanow. Abandon that name, Hartmut. I
bring you that for which you so ardentl