nd. "'Tis well
known that the Empress can bend the Emperor to her will when she chooses
to exert it. You see, in spite of all, I am quite taking it for granted
that you are the Prince, otherwise 'twere useless to waste time in this
talk. You display all the confidence of youth in speaking of the
exploits you propose, and, indeed, it is cheering for a middle-aged
person like myself to meet one so confident of anything in these
pessimistic days. But have you considered what will happen if something
goes wrong during one of your raids?"

"Nothing can go wrong. I feel no fear on that score."

"I thought as much. Very well, I will tell you what could go wrong. Some
Baron may entrap you and your score, and forthwith hang you all from his
battlements. Now, it is but common sense to prevent such a termination,
if it be possible. Therefore seek out the Empress. Tell her that you and
your twenty companions are about to embark on an enterprise greatly
beneficial to the land. Say that you go incognito, and that, even should
you fail, 'twill bring no discredit to your Royal House. But point out
the danger of which I forewarn you. Ask her to get the signature of the
Emperor attached to a safe-conduct, together with the device of the
Great Seal; then if the Baron who captures you cannot read, he will
still know the potency of the picture, and as there is no loophole to my
acceptance of this proof, I will, for your convenience, and for my own
protection, write the safe-conduct on as sound a bit of parchment as
ever was signed in a palace."

Saying this, Herr Goebel rose, and went to his desk in a corner of the
room, where he indited the memorial he had outlined, and, after
sprinkling it with sand, presented it to Roland, who read:

"These presents warn him to whom they are presented that Roland the
bearer is my son, and that what he has done has been done with my
sanction, therefore he and his twenty comrades are to be held scathless,
pending an appeal to me in my capital city of Frankfort.

"Whomsoever disobeys this instrument forfeits his own life, and that of
his family and followers, while his possessions will be confiscated by
the State."

Roland frowned.

"Doesn't it please you?" asked Goebel, his suspicions returning.

"Well, it seems to me rather a plebeian action, to attack a man's
castle, and then, if captured, crawl behind a drastic threat like this."

The merchant shrugged his shoulders.

"That's a sentimental o