the same moment his sword was
wrested from his grasp. A loud voice, from the person who now held him
fast in both his arms, cried, "Run him through, sir; such assassins
don't deserve a moment's time to say their paternoster."

"You do it, Hans," said the stranger; "I am not the one to take the
life of a defenceless man; run him through with his own sword, and be
quick about it."

"Let me rather do it myself, sir," said Albert, with a firm voice; "you
have robbed me of my love,--what further need have I of life?"

"What is that I hear?" said the stranger, and approached nearer.

"What voice is that?" said the other stranger, who still kept a firm
hold of Albert; "I ought to know its sound." He turned the young man in
his arms, and, as if struck by lightning, he let go his hold. "What on
earth do I see! we might have made a pretty business of it!--but what
unlucky star has brought you to this spot, sir? How could my people
think of letting you depart without my knowledge?"

It was the fifer of Hardt who addressed Albert, and now offered him his
hand. He was not, however, much inclined to return the friendly salute
of a man who but a moment before was going to perform the part of
executioner. Burning with fury, he looked at the man in the cloak, and
then at the fifer: "Do you mean to say," said he, addressing himself to
the latter, "that I ought to have allowed myself to remain a prisoner
in your house, for the purpose of not witnessing your traitorous
designs? Miserable impostor! And you, sir," turning to the other, "as
you value your honour, defend yourself singly, and not fall two upon
one. If you wish to know my name, I am Albert von Sturmfeder, come here
for the express purpose of measuring swords with you, to uphold my
previous claim to the Lady of Lichtenstein, which pretension, perhaps,
may not be unknown to you. I demand my sword back again, having been
wrenched from my hand by an act of treacherous cowardice, and let each
make good his pretensions in honourable fight. With my life alone will
I cease to assert my right."

"Albert von Sturmfeder!" replied his opponent in surprise, but in a
friendly manner. "It appears you must be labouring under some mistake.
Believe me, that, instead of being your enemy I am much interested in
you, and have long wished to see you. Accept my friendship, upon the
word of honour of a man; and do not imagine I visit the castle with the
sinister views you attribute to me."

He