Tilly and
Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany, were
associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely dignity and
noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed the young soldier, and
the courtesy with which he had treated him personally had attracted
his liking as well as respect. To think that this great general, this
princely noble, the man who alone had baffled the Lion of the North, had
been foully murdered by those he had trusted and favoured, filled him
with grief and indignation, the more so since two of the principal
assassins were Scotchmen.

The thought that on the morrow Duke Bernhard of Weimar--a leader
in importance second only to the Chancellor of Sweden--would fall
unsuspiciously into the trap set for him goaded him almost to madness,
and he tossed restlessly on the straw through the long hours of the
night. Towards morning he heard a faint creaking of bolts, then there
was a sound of the locks of the door being turned. He grasped his sword
and sprang to his feet. He heard the door close again, and then a man
produced a lantern from beneath a long cloak, and he saw Wallenstein's
steward before him. The old man's eyes were bloodshot with weeping, and
his face betokened the anguish which the death of his master had caused
him.

"You have heard the news?" he asked.

"Alas!" Malcolm replied, "I have heard it indeed."

"I am determined," the old man said, "to thwart the projects of these
murderers and to have vengeance upon them. None have thought of me. I
was an old man, too insignificant for notice, and I have passed the day
in my chamber lamenting the kindest of lords, the best of masters. Last
evening I heard the soldiers boasting that today they would capture
the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and I determined to foil them. They have been
feasting and drinking all night, and it is but now that the troopers
have fallen into a drunken slumber and I was able to possess myself of
the key of your dungeon.

"Here is your helmet. I will lead you to the stable, where I have
saddled the best and fastest of my master's horses. You must remain
there quietly until you deem that the gates are open, then leap upon the
horse, and ride for your life. Few will know you, and you will probably
pass out of the gate unquestioned. If not, you have your sword to cut
your way. Once beyond the town ride to meet the duke. Tell him my master
has been murdered, that Egra is in the hands of th