the disgrace which could be inflicted upon
the slanderous defamer of character threatened him; then Wolff would
summon him to a reckoning, as well as Heinz Schorlin. Wolff, whom he had
begun to hate since, with his resistless arm of iron, he had exposed him
for the first time to the malicious glee of the bystanders in the fencing
hall.

Yet it was not this which suddenly bowed his head and loudly admonished
him that he had again behaved like a reckless fool. Cowardice was his
least fault. He did not fear what might befall him in battle. Whether he
would be barred out from the lists was the terrible question which
darkened the bright morning already verging towards noon. He had charged
Els with perfidy in the presence of others, and thereby exposed her, the
plighted bride of a knight, to the utmost scorn. And besides--fool that
he was!--his brothers had again attacked a train of waggons on the
highway and would soon be called to account as robbers. This would
certainly lead the Swiss and others to investigate his own past, and the
Pursuivant at Arms excluded from joust and tourney whoever "injured trade
or merchant." What would not his enemy, who was in such high favour with
the Emperor, do to compass his destruction? But--and at the thought he
uttered a low imprecation--how could he ride to the joust if his
father-in-law closed his strong box which, moreover, was said to be
empty? If the old man was forced to declare himself bankrupt Siebenburg's
creditors would instantly seize his splendid chargers and costly suits of
armour, scarcely one half of which were paid for. How much money he
needed as security in case of defeat! His sole property was debts. Yet
the thought seemed like an illumination--his wife's valuable old jewels
could probably still be saved, and she might be induced to give him part
of the ornaments for the tournament. He need only make her understand
that his honour and that of the twins were at stake. Would that Heaven
might spare his boys such hours of anxiety and self-accusation!

But what was this? Was he deluding himself? Did his over-excited
imagination make him hear a death knell pealing for his honour and his
hopes, which must be borne to their grave? Yet no! All the citizens and
peasants, men and women, great and small, who thronged the salt market,
which he had just entered, raised their heads to listen with him; for
from every steeple at once rang the mournful death knell which announced
to t