s juncture there are others to
consider."

Roland interrupted.

"Read this letter, my Lord, and you will learn that I am here with the
full concurrence of that generous Prince of the Church, Mayence."

Cologne, with knitted brow, scrutinized the communication.

"Your Highness is most courageous, but, if I may be permitted, just a
trifle too clever."

"My Highness is not clever at all, but merely meets a situation as it
arises."

"Prince Roland," said the Countess, her head raised proudly, "may I
introduce to you my friend, and almost my neighbor, the Count Palatine
of the Rhine?"

"Ah, pardon me," murmured the Archbishop, covered with confusion, but
the jovial Count swept away all embarrassment by his hearty greeting.

"Prince Roland, I am delighted with the honor her ladyship accords me."

"And I, my Lord, am exceedingly gratified to meet the Count Palatine
again."

"Again?" cried the Count in astonishment, "If ever we had encountered
one another, your Highness, I certainly should not have been the one to
forget the privilege."

The Prince laughed.

"It is true, nevertheless. My Lord Count, there is a namesake of mine in
the precincts of your strong Castle of Gutenfels; a namesake who does
more honor to the title than I do myself."

The Count Palatine threw back his head, and the forest garden echoed
with boisterous laughter.

"You mean my black charger, Prince Roland!" he shouted. "A noble horse
indeed. How knew you of him? If your Highness cares for horses allow me
to present him to you."

"Never, my Lord Count. You are too fond of him yourself, and I have
always had an affectionate feeling towards you for your love of that
animal, which, indeed, hardly exceeds my own. I grasped his bridle-rein,
and held the stirrup while you mounted."

"How is that possible?" asked the astonished Count.

"I cared for Prince Roland nearly a month, receiving generous wages,
and, what I valued more, your own commendation, for you saw I was as
fond of horses as you were."

"Good heavens! Were you that youth who came so mysteriously, and
disappeared without warning?"

"Yes," laughed the Prince. "I know Gutenfels nearly as well as you do. I
was a spy, studying the art of war and methods of fortification. I
stopped in various capacities at nearly all the famous Castles of the
Rhine, and this knowledge recently came in--"

"Your Highness, your Highness!" pleaded the Archbishop. "I implore you
to remember that the