y seated in Esslingen, until we hunt him out of it."

"He deserted us shamefully," said Kraft; "and intrusted everything to
my head, which has nearly suffered for it. I had not the least idea the
danger was so imminent, and allowed myself to be seduced by Doctor
Calmus to speak to the people, and warn them against breaking their
oath to the League. Had I but succeeded, it would have made a noise in
the world, and I should have stood high in Marie's estimation. But the
Wuertembergers are barbarians, and void of all decent manners. They did
not even let me say a word, but threw me down, and treated me like a
common vagabond. Just look at my cloak, it is torn to tatters! I regret
it, for it cost me four gold florins, and Marie maintains that rose
colour becomes the complexion of my face to perfection."

Albert scarcely knew whether to laugh at the folly of his friend the
scribe, or admire the stoical composure with which he lamented his torn
gown, when he had but a moment before narrowly escaped losing his head.
He was going to ask some other questions about his adventures, when an
extraordinary noise was heard under the window in the open space before
the castle; he looked out, and beckoned to Dieterich von Kraft to come
and witness a spectacle of fallen greatness.

Doctor Calmus was being paraded through the town. He was seated on an
ass, with his face towards the tail. The lansquenets had dressed him
out in a ridiculous manner, with a painted leather cap, at the top of
which was stuck a large cock's feather. Two drummers led the
procession, on either side, the Magdeburger, Staberl of Vienna, the
late Captain Muckerle, and the brave general, marched with solemn pace,
every now and then pricking the animal with the ends of their halberts
to quicken his pace. An immense crowd of people swarmed around him,
pelting him with eggs and mud.

The scribe looked down upon his unfortunate companion in distress with
pity, and sighed, "It's hard to be obliged to ride upon an ass in that
fashion, but it's better than being hanged." He turned from the scene,
and looked towards another side of the square. "Who comes here?" he
asked the young knight; "that's just the kind of thing I went to the
field in."

His friend looked round, and perceived a train of travellers with a
litter in the middle. An old man on horseback brought up the rear of
the party, which now moved towards the castle. Albert observing them
more closely, cried out,