of blood in his defence. Whoever should break this
covenant, so long as Wallenstein should employ the army in the emperor's
service, was to be regarded as a perfidious traitor and to be treated by
the rest as a common enemy.

As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein had no
thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor, or of defying his
authority, save in the point of refusing to be separated from his army,
all present agreed with acclamations to sign the documents required.

"Then, gentlemen," Marshal Illo said, "I will have the document for your
signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared in the next
room, of which I invite you now all to partake, and at its conclusion
the document shall be ready."

Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the officers
left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath the arras,
saw that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined, however, to
remain and to hear the conclusion of the conference. He accordingly
remained quiet for upwards of an hour. During this time the attendants
had entered and extinguished the lights, as the guests would not return
to the council chamber.

He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which
separated him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the
keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices loudly
raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height. More and more
noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his guests with wine in
order that they might sign without examination the document which he had
prepared for their signatures. Feeling confident that none would hear
him in the state at which they had now arrived, Malcolm cautiously
opened the door an inch or two, and was able to hear and see all that
passed.

It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and passed
it round for signature. Many of those to whom it was handed signed it
at once without reading the engagement; but one more sober than the
rest insisted on reading it through, and at once rising to his feet,
announced to the others that the important words "as long as Wallenstein
shall employ the army for the emperor's service," which had been
inserted in the first draft agreed to by Wallenstein and the deputation,
had been omitted.

A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared that
they would not sign the docume