CONTENTS
I。TheDragon’sHouse，II。HowtheBaronWentForthtoShear，III。HowtheBaronCameHomeShorn，IV。TheWhiteCrossontheHill，V。HowOttoDweltatSt。Michaelsburg，VI。HowOttoLivedintheDragon’sHouse，VII。TheRedCockCrowsonDrachenhausen，VIII。IntheHouseoftheDragonScorner，IX。HowOne—eyedHansCametoTrutz—Drachen，X。HowHansBroughtTerrortotheKitchen，XI。HowOttowasSaved，XII。ARideforLife，XIII。HowBaronConradHeldtheBridge，XIV。HowOttoSawtheGreatEmperor，FOREWORD。
Betweenthefarawaypasthistoryoftheworld，andthatwhichliesneartous；inthetimewhenthewisdomoftheancienttimeswasdeadandhadpassedaway，andourowndaysoflighthadnotyetcome，therelayagreatblackgulfinhumanhistory，agulfofignorance，ofsuperstition，ofcruelty，andofwickedness。
Thattimewecallthedarkormiddleages。
Fewrecordsremaintousofthatdreadfulperiodinourworld’shistory，andweonlyknowofitthroughbrokenanddisjointedfragmentsthathavebeenhandeddowntousthroughthegenerations。
Yet，thoughtheworld’slifethenwassowickedandblack，thereyetremainedafewgoodmenandwomenhereandthere（mostlyinpeacefulandquietmonasteries，farfromthethunderandtheglareoftheworldsbloodybattle），whoknewtherightandthetruthandlivedaccordingtowhattheyknew；whopreservedandtenderlycaredforthetruthsthatthedearChristtaught，andlivedanddiedforinPalestinesolongago。
ThistalethatIamabouttotellisofalittleboywholivedandsufferedinthosedarkmiddleages；ofhowhesawboththegoodandthebadofmen，andofhow，bygentlenessandloveandnotbystrifeandhatred，hecameatlasttostandaboveothermenandtobelookeduptobyall。Andshouldyoufollowthestorytotheend，Ihopeyoumayfinditapleasure，asIhavedone，toramblethroughthosedarkancientcastles，toliewithlittleOttoandBrotherJohninthehighbelfry—tower，ortositwiththeminthepeacefulquietofthesunnyoldmonasterygarden，for，ofallthestory，IlovebestthoseearlypeacefulyearsthatlittleOttospentinthedearoldWhiteCrossontheHill。
PoorlittleOtto’slifewasastonyandathornypathway，anditiswellforallofusnowadaysthatwewalkitinfancyandnotintruth。
I。
TheDragon’sHouse。
Upfromthegrayrocks，risingsheerandboldandbare，stoodthewallsandtowersofCastleDrachenhausen。Agreatgate—way，withaheavyiron—pointedportcullishangingsuspendedinthedimarchabove，yawnedblacklyuponthebasculeorfallingdrawbridgethatspannedachasmbetweentheblankstonewallsandtheroadwaythatwindingdownthesteeprockyslopetothelittlevalleyjustbeneath。Thereinthelapofthehillsaroundstoodthewretchedstraw—thatchedhutsofthepeasantsbelongingtothecastle—miserableserfswho，halftimid，halffierce，tilledtheirpoorpatchesofground，wrenchingfromthehardsoilbarelyenoughtokeepbodyandsoultogether。Amongthosevilehovelsplayedthelittlechildrenlikefoxesabouttheirdens，theirwild，fierceeyespeeringoutfromunderamatoftangledyellowhair。
Beyondthesesqualidhutslaytherushing，foamingriver，spannedbyahigh，rude，stonebridgewheretheroadfromthecastlecrossedit，andbeyondtheriverstretchedthegreat，blackforest，withinwhosegloomydepthsthesavagewildbeastsmadetheirlair，andwhereinwintertimethehowlingwolvescoursedtheirflyingpreyacrossthemoonlitsnowandunderthenet—workoftheblackshadowsfromthenakedboughsabove。
Thewatchmaninthecold，windybartizanorwatch—towerthatclungtothegraywallsabovethecastlegateway，lookedfromhisnarrowwindow，wherethewindpipedandhummed，acrossthetree—topsthatrolledinendlessbillowsofgreen，overhillandovervalleytotheblueanddistantslopeoftheKeiserberg，where，onthemountainside，glimmeredfarawaythewallsofCastleTrutz—Drachen。
Withinthemassivestonewallsthroughwhichthegapinggatewayled，threegreatcheerlessbrickbuildings，soforbiddingthateventheyellowsunlightcouldnotlightthemintobrightness，lookeddown，withrowuponrowofwindows，uponthreesidesofthebleak，stonecourtyard。Backofandabovethemclusteredajumbleofotherbuildings，towerandturret，onehigh—peakedroofovertoppinganother。
ThegreathouseinthecentrewastheBaron’sHall，theparttotheleftwascalledtheRoderhausen；betweenthetwostoodahugesquarepile，risingdizzilyupintotheclearairhighabovetherest—thegreatMelchiorTower。
Atthetopclusteredajumbleofbuildingshanginghighaloftinthewindyspaceacrookedwoodenbelfry，atall，narrowwatch—
tower，andarudewoodenhousethatclungpartlytotheroofofthegreattowerandpartlytothewalls。
>Fromthechimneyofthiscrazyhutathinthreadofsmokewouldnowandthenriseintotheair，fortherewerefolklivingfarupinthatempty，airydesert，andoftentimeswild，uncouthlittlechildrenwereseenplayingontheedgeofthedizzyheight，orsittingwiththeirbarelegshangingdownoverthesheerdepths，astheygazedbelowatwhatwasgoingoninthecourt—yard。Theretheysat，justaslittlechildreninthetownmightsitupontheirfather’sdoor—step；andasthesparrowsmightflyaroundthefeetofthelittletownchildren，sothecirclingflocksofrooksanddawsflewaroundthefeetoftheseair—borncreatures。
ItwasSchwartzCarlandhiswifeandlittleoneswholivedfarupthereintheMelchiorTower，foritoverlookedthetopofthehillbehindthecastleandsodownintothevalleyuponthefurtherside。There，dayafterday，SchwartzCarlkeptwatchuponthegrayroadthatranlikearibbonthroughthevalley，fromtherichtownofGruenstaldttotherichtownofStaffenburgen，wherepassedmerchantcaravansfromtheonetotheother—forthelordofDrachenhausenwasarobberbaron。
Dong!Dong!ThegreatalarmbellwouldsuddenlyringoutfromthebelfryhighupupontheMelchiorTower。Dong!Dong!Tilltherooksanddawswhirledclamoringandscreaming。Dong!Dong!Tillthefiercewolf—houndsintherockykennelsbehindthecastlestableshowleddismallyinanswer。Dong!Dong!—Dong!Dong!
Thenwouldfollowagreatnoiseanduproarandhurryinthecastlecourt—yardbelow；menshoutingandcallingtooneanother，theringingofarmor，andtheclatterofhorses’hoofsuponthehardstone。Withthecreakingandgroaningofthewindlasstheiron—pointedportculliswouldbeslowlyraised，andwithaclankandrattleandclashofironchainsthedrawbridgewouldfallcrashing。Thenoveritwouldthunderhorseandman，clatteringawaydownthewinding，stonypathway，untilthegreatforestwouldswallowthem，andtheywouldbegone。
Thenforawhilepeacewouldfalluponthecastlecourtyard，thecockwouldcrow，thecookwouldscoldalazymaid，andGretchen，leaningoutofawindow，wouldsingasnatchofasong，justasthoughitwereapeacefulfarm—house，insteadofadenofrobbers。
Maybeitwouldbeeveningbeforethemenwouldreturnoncemore。
Perhapsonewouldhaveabloodyclothboundabouthishead，perhapsonewouldcarryhisarminasling；perhapsone—maybemorethanone—wouldbeleftbehind，nevertoreturnagain，andsoonforgottenbyallexceptingsomepoorwomanwhowouldweepsilentlyinthelonelinessofherdailywork。
Nearlyalwaystheadventurerswouldbringbackwiththempack—
horsesladenwithbalesofgoods。Sometimes，besidesthese，theywouldreturnwithapoorsoul，hishandstiedbehindhisbackandhisfeetbeneaththehorse’sbody，hisfurcloakandhisflatcapwofullyawry。Awhilehewoulddisappearinsomegloomycellofthedungeon—keep，untilanenvoywouldcomefromthetownwithafatpurse，whenhisransomwouldbepaid，thedungeonwoulddisgorgehim，andhewouldbeallowedtogouponhiswayagain。
OnemanalwaysrodebesideBaronConradinhisexpeditionsandadventuresashort，deep—chested，broad—shoulderedman，withsinewyarmssolongthatwhenhestoodhishandshungnearlytohisknees。
Hiscoarse，close—clippedhaircamesolowuponhisbrowthatonlyastripofforeheadshowedbetweenitandhisbushy，blackeyebrows。Oneeyewasblind；theothertwinkledandgleamedlikeasparkunderthepenthouseofhisbrows。Manyfolksaidthattheone—eyedHanshaddrunkbeerwiththeHill—man，whohadgivenhimthestrengthoften，forhecouldbendanironspitlikeahazeltwig，andcouldliftabarrelofwinefromthefloortohisheadaseasilyasthoughitwereabasketofeggs。
Asfortheone—eyedHansheneversaidthathehadnotdrunkbeerwiththeHill—man，forhelikedthecreditthatsuchreportsgavehimwiththeotherfolk。Andso，likeahalfsavagemastiff，faithfultodeathtohismaster，buttohimalone，hewenthissullenwayandlivedhissullenlifewithinthecastlewalls，halfrespected，halffearedbytheotherinmates，foritwasdangeroustriflingwiththeone—eyedHans。
II。
HowtheBaronwentForthtoShear。
BaronConradandBaronessMatildasattogetherattheirmorningmealbelowtheirraisedseatsstretchedthelong，heavywoodentable，loadedwithcoarsefood—blackbread，boiledcabbage，bacon，eggs，agreatchinefromawildboar，sausages，suchasweeatnowadays，andflagonsandjarsofbeerandwine，Alongtheboardsatrangedintheorderofthehouseholdthefollowersandretainers。Fourorfiveslatternlywomenandgirlsservedtheothersastheyfednoisilyatthetable，movinghereandtherebehindthemenwithwoodenorpewterdishesoffood，nowandthenlaughingatthejeststhatpassedorjoininginthetalk。Ahugefireblazedandcrackledandroaredinthegreatopenfireplace，beforewhichwerestretchedtwofierce，shaggy，wolfish—lookinghounds。Outside，therainbeatupontherooforrantricklingfromtheeaves，andeverynowandthenachilldraughtofwindwouldbreathethroughtheopenwindowsofthegreatblackdining—hallandsetthefireroaring。
Alongthedull—graywallofstonehungpiecesofarmor，andswordsandlances，andgreatbranchingantlersofthestag。
Overheadarchedtherude，heavy，oakenbeams，blackenedwithageandsmoke，andunderfootwasachillpavementofstone。
UponBaronConrad’sshoulderleanedthepale，slender，yellow—
hairedBaroness，theonlyoneinalltheworldwithwhomthefiercelordofDrachenhausensoftenedtogentleness，theonlyoneuponwhomhissavagebrowslookedkindly，andtowhomhisharshvoicesoftenedwithlove。
TheBaronesswastalkingtoherhusbandinalowvoice，ashelookeddownintoherpaleface，withitsgentleblueeyes。
\"Andwiltthounot，then，\"saidshe，\"dothatonethingforme？\"
\"Nay，\"hegrowled，inhisdeepvoice，\"Icannotpromisetheenevermoretoattackthetowns—peopleinthevalleyoveryonder。
HowelsecouldIlivean’Ididnottakefromthefattownhogstofillourownlarder？\"
\"Nay，\"saidtheBaroness，\"thoucouldstliveassomeothersdo，foralldonotrobtheburgherfolkasthoudost。Alas!mishapwillcomeupontheesomeday，andifthoushouldstbeslain，whatthenwouldcomeofme？\"
\"Prut，\"saidtheBaron，\"thyfoolishfears\"Buthelaidhisrough，hairyhandsoftlyupontheBaroness’headandstrokedheryellowhair。
\"Formysake，Conrad，\"whisperedtheBaroness。
Apausefollowed。TheBaronsatlookingthoughtfullydownintotheBaroness’face。Amomentmore，andhemighthavepromisedwhatshebesought；amomentmore，andhemighthavebeensavedallthebittertroublethatwastofollow。Butitwasnottobe。
Suddenlyaharshsoundbrokethequietnessofallintoaconfusionofnoises。Dong!Dong!—itwasthegreatalarm—bellfromMelchior’sTower。
TheBaronstartedatthesound。Hesatforamomentortwowithhishandclincheduponthearmofhisseatasthoughabouttorise，thenhesunkbackintohischairagain。
Alltheothershadrisentumultuouslyfromthetable，andnowstoodlookingathim，awaitinghisorders。
\"Formysake，Conrad，\"saidtheBaronessagain。
Dong!Dong!rangthealarm—bell。TheBaronsatwithhiseyesbentuponthefloor，scowlingblackly。
TheBaronesstookhishandinbothofhers。\"Formysake，\"shepleaded，andthetearsfilledherblueeyesasshelookedupathim，\"donotgothistime。\"
>Fromthecourtyardwithoutcamethesoundofhorses’hoofsclashingagainstthestonepavement，andthoseinthehallstoodwatchingandwonderingatthisstrangedelayoftheLordBaron。
Justthenthedooropenedandonecamepushingpasttherest；itwastheone—eyedHans。HecamestraighttowheretheBaronsat，and，leaningover，whisperedsomethingintohismaster’sear。
\"Formysake，\"imploredtheBaronessagain；butthescalewasturned。TheBaronpushedbackhischairheavilyandrosetohisfeet。\"Forward!\"heroared，inavoiceofthunder，andagreatshoutwentupinanswerashestrodeclankingdownthehallandoutoftheopendoor。
TheBaronesscoveredherfacewithherhandsandwept。
\"Nevermind，littlebird，\"saidoldUrsela，thenurse，soothingly；\"hewillcomebacktotheeagainashehascomebacktotheebefore。\"
ButthepooryoungBaronesscontinuedweepingwithherfaceburiedinherhands，becausehehadnotdonethatthingshehadasked。
Awhiteyoungfaceframedinyellowhairlookedoutintothecourtyardfromawindowabove；butifBaronConradofDrachenhausensawitfrombeneaththebarsofhisshininghelmet，hemadenosign。
\"Forward\"hecriedagain。
Downthunderedthedrawbridge，andawaytheyrodewithclashinghoofsandringingarmorthroughthegrayshroudofdrillingrain。
Thedayhadpassedandtheeveninghadcome，andtheBaronessandherwomensatbesidearoaringfire。Allwerechatteringandtalkingandlaughingbuttwo—thefairyoungBaronessandoldUrsela；theonesatlistening，listening，listening，theothersatwithherchinrestinginthepalmofherhand，silentlywatchingheryoungmistress。Thenightwasfallinggrayandchill，whensuddenlytheclearnotesofabuglerangfromwithoutthecastlewalls。TheyoungBaronessstarted，andtherosylightflashedupintoherpalecheeks。
\"Yes，good，\"saidoldUrsela；\"theredfoxhascomebacktohisdenagain，andIwarranthebringsafattowngooseinhismouth；nowwe’llhavefineclothestowear，andthouanothergoldchaintohangaboutthyprettyneck。\"
TheyoungBaronesslaughedmerrilyattheoldwoman’sspeech。
\"Thistime，\"saidshe，\"Iwillchooseastringofpearlslikethatonemyauntusedtowear，andwhichIhadaboutmyneckwhenConradfirstsawme。\"
Minuteafterminutepassed；theBaronesssatnervouslyplayingwithabraceletofgoldenbeadsaboutherwrist。\"Howlonghestays，\"saidshe。
\"Yes，\"saidUrsela；\"butitisnotcousinwishthatholdshimbythecoat。\"
Asshespoke，adoorbangedinthepassagewaywithout，andtheringofironfootstepssoundeduponthestonefloor。Clank!
Clank!Clank!
TheBaronessrosetoherfeet，herfaceallalight。Thedooropened；thentheflushofjoyfadedawayandthefacegrewwhite，white，white。Onehandclutchedthebackofthebenchwhereonshehadbeensitting，theotherhandpressedtightlyagainstherside。
ItwasHanstheone—eyedwhostoodinthedoorway，andblacktroublesatonhisbrow；allwerelookingathimwaiting。
\"Conrad，\"whisperedtheBaroness，atlast。\"WhereisConrad？
Whereisyourmaster？\"andevenherlipswerewhiteasshespoke。
Theone—eyedHanssaidnothing。
Justthencamethenoiseofmensvoicesinthecorridorandtheshuffleandscuffleoffeetcarryingaheavyload。Nearerandnearertheycame，andone—eyedHansstoodaside。Sixmencamestrugglingthroughthedoorway，carryingalitter，andonthelitterlaythegreatBaronConrad。Theflamingtorchthrustintotheironbracketagainstthewallflashedupwiththedraughtofairfromtheopendoor，andthelightfelluponthewhitefaceandtheclosedeyes，andshoweduponhisbodyarmoragreatredstainthatwasnotthestainofrust。
SuddenlyUrselacriedoutinasharp，shrillvoice，\"Catchher，shefalls!\"
ItwastheBaroness。
Thentheoldcroneturnedfiercelyupontheone—eyedHans。\"Thoufool!\"shecried，\"whydidstthoubringhimhere？Thouhastkilledthylady!\"
\"Ididnotknow，\"saidtheone—eyedHans，stupidly。
III。
HowtheBaroncameHomeShorn。
ButBaronConradwasnotdead。Fordayshelayuponhishardbed，nowmutteringincoherentwordsbeneathhisredbeard，nowravingfiercelywiththefeverofhiswound。Butonedayhewokeagaintothethingsabouthim。
Heturnedhisheadfirsttotheonesideandthentotheother；
theresatSchwartzCarlandtheone—eyedHans。Twoorthreeotherretainersstoodbyagreatwindowthatlookedoutintothecourtyardbeneath，jestingandlaughingtogetherinlowtones，andonelayupontheheavyoakenbenchthatstoodalongbythewallsnoringinhissleep。
\"Whereisyourlady？\"saidtheBaron，presently；\"andwhyisshenotwithmeatthistime？\"
Themanthatlayuponthebenchstartedupatthesoundofhisvoice，andthoseatthewindowcamehurryingtohisbedside。ButSchwartzCarlandtheone—eyedHanslookedatoneanother，andneitherofthemspoke。TheBaronsawthelookandinitreadacertainmeaningthatbroughthimtohiselbow，thoughonlytosinkbackuponhispillowagainwithagroan。
\"Whydoyounotanswerme？\"saidheatlast，inahollowvoice；
thentotheone—eyedHans，\"Hastnotongue，fool，thatthoustandestgapingtherelikeafish？Answerme，whereisthymistress？\"
\"I—Idonotknow，\"stammeredpoorHans。
ForawhiletheBaronlaysilentlylookingfromonefacetotheother，thenhespokeagain。\"HowlonghaveIbeenlyinghere？\"
saidhe。
\"Asennight，mylord，\"saidMasterRudolph，thesteward，whohadcomeintotheroomandwhonowstoodamongtheothersatthebedside。
\"Asennight，\"repeatedtheBaron，inalowvoice，andthentoMasterRudolph，\"AndhastheBaronessbeenoftenbesidemeinthattime？\"MasterRudolphhesitated。\"Answerme，\"saidtheBaron，harshly。
\"Not—notoften，\"saidMasterRudolph，hesitatingly。
TheBaronlaysilentforalongtime。Atlasthepassedhishandsoverhisfaceandheldthemthereforaminute，thenofasudden，beforeanyoneknewwhathewasabouttodo，heroseuponhiselbowandthensatuprightuponthebed。Thegreenwoundbrokeoutafreshandadarkredspotgrewandspreaduponthelinenwrappings；hisfacewasdrawnandhaggardwiththepainofhismoving，andhiseyeswildandbloodshot。Greatdropsofsweatgatheredandstooduponhisforeheadashesatthereswayingslightlyfromsidetoside。
\"Myshoes，\"saidhe，hoarsely。
MasterRudolphsteppedforward。\"But，myLordBaron，\"hebeganandthenstoppedshort，fortheBaronshothimsuchalookthathistonguestoodstillinhishead。
Hanssawthatlookoutofhisoneeye。Downhedroppeduponhiskneesand，fumblingunderthebed，broughtforthapairofsoftleathernshoes，whichheslippedupontheBaron’sfeetandthenlacedthethongsabovetheinstep。
\"Yourshoulder，\"saidtheBaron。Heroseslowlytohisfeet，grippingHansinthestressofhisagonyuntilthefellowwincedagain。Foramomenthestoodasthoughgatheringstrength，thendoggedlystartedforthuponthatquestwhichhehadsetuponhimself。
Atthedoorhestoppedforamomentasthoughovercomebyhisweakness，andthereMasterNicholas，hiscousin，methim；forthestewardhadsentoneoftheretainerstotelltheoldmanwhattheBaronwasabouttodo。
\"Thoumustgobackagain，Conrad，\"saidMasterNicholas；\"thouartnotfittobeabroad。\"
TheBaronansweredhimneveraword，butheglaredathimfromoutofhisbloodshoteyesandgroundhisteethtogether。Thenhestartedforthagainuponhisway。
Downthelonghallhewent，slowlyandlaboriously，theothersfollowingsilentlybehindhim，thenupthesteepwindingstairs，stepbystep，nowandthenstoppingtoleanagainstthewall。Sohereachedalongandgloomypassagewaylitonlybythelightofalittlewindowatthefurtherend。
Hestoppedatthedoorofoneoftheroomsthatopenedintothispassage—way，stoodforamoment，thenhepusheditopen。
NoonewaswithinbutoldUrsela，whosatcrooningoverafirewithabundleuponherknees。ShedidnotseetheBaronorknowthathewasthere。
\"Whereisyourlady？\"saidhe，inahollowvoice。
Thentheoldnurselookedupwithastart。\"Jesublessus，\"
criedshe，andcrossedherself。
\"Whereisyourlady？\"saidtheBaronagain，inthesamehoarsevoice；andthen，notwaitingforananswer，\"Isshedead？\"
Theoldwomanlookedathimforaminuteblinkingherwateryeyes，andthensuddenlybrokeintoashrill，long—drawnwail。
TheBaronneededtohearnomore。
Asthoughinanswertotheoldwoman’scry，athinpipingcomplaintcamefromthebundleinherlap。
AtthesoundtheredbloodflashedupintotheBaron’sface。
\"Whatisthatyouhavethere？\"saidhe，pointingtothebundleupontheoldwoman’sknees。
Shedrewbackthecoveringsandtherelayapoor，weak，littlebaby，thatonceagainraiseditsfaintreedypipe。
\"Itisyourson，\"saidUrsela，\"thatthedearBaronessleftbehindherwhentheholyangelstookhertoParadise。SheblessedhimandcalledhimOttobeforesheleftus。\"
IV。
TheWhiteCrossontheHill。
HeretheglassywatersoftheRiverRhine，holdinguponitsbosomamimicpictureoftheblueskyandwhitecloudsfloatingabove，runssmoothlyaroundajuttingpointofland，St。
Michaelsburg，risingfromthereedybanksofthestream，sweepsupwithasmoothswelluntilitcutssharpandclearagainstthesky。Stubbyvineyardscovereditsearthybreast，andfieldandgardenandorchardcrowneditsbrow，wherelaytheMonasteryofSt。Michaelsburg—\"TheWhiteCrossontheHill。\"Therewithinthewhitewalls，wherethewarmyellowsunlightslept，allwaspeacefulquietness，brokenonlynowandthenbythecrowingofthecockortheclamorouscackleofahen，thelowingofkineorthebleatingofgoats，asolitaryvoiceinprayer，thefaintaccordofdistantsinging，ortheresonanttollofthemonasterybellfromthehigh—peakedbelfrythatoverlookedthehillandvalleyandthesmooth，far—windingstream。Noothersoundsbrokethestillness，forinthispeacefulhavenwasneverheardtheclashofarmor，theringofiron—shodhoofs，orthehoarsecalltoarms。
Allmenwerenotwickedandcruelandfierceinthatdark，far—
awayage；allwerenotrobbersandterror—spreadingtyrants，eveninthattimewhenmen’shandswereagainsttheirneighbors，andwarandrapinedweltinplaceofpeaceandjustice。
AbbotOtto，ofSt。Michaelsburg，wasagentle，patient，pale。
facedoldman；hiswhitehandsweresoftandsmooth，andnoonewouldhavethoughtthattheycouldhaveknowntheharshtouchofsword—hiltandlance。Andyet，inthedaysoftheEmperorFrederick—thegrandsonofthegreatRed—beard—noonestoodhigherintheprowessofarmsthanhe。Butallatonce—forwhy，nomancouldtell—achangecameoverhim，andintheflowerofhisyouthandfameandgrowingpowerhegaveupeverythinginlifeandenteredthequietsanctuaryofthatwhitemonasteryonthehill—side，sofarawayfromthetumultandtheconflictoftheworldinwhichhehadlived。
Somesaidthatitwasbecausetheladyhehadlovedhadlovedhisbrother，andthatwhentheyweremarriedOttoofWolbergenhadleftthechurchwithabrokenheart。
Butsuchstoriesareoldsongsthathavebeensungbefore。
Clatter!clatter!Jingle!jingle!Itwasafull—armedknightthatcameridingupthesteephillroadthatwoundfromlefttorightandrighttoleftamidthevineyardsontheslopesofSt。
Michaelsburg。Polishedhelmandcorseletblazedinthenoonsunlight，fornoknightinthosedaysdaredtoridetheroadsexceptinfullarmor。Infrontofhimthesolitaryknightcarriedabundlewrappedinthefoldsofhiscoarsegraycloak。
ItwasasorelysickmanthatrodeuptheheightsofSt。
Michaelsburg。Hisheadhunguponhisbreastthroughthefaintnessofwearinessandpain；foritwastheBaronConrad。
Hehadlefthisbedofsicknessthatmorning，hadsaddledhishorseinthegraydawnwithhisownhands，andhadriddenawayintothemistytwilightoftheforestwithouttheknowledgeofanyoneexceptingtheporter，who，winkingandblinkinginthebewildermentofhisbrokenslumber，hadopenedthegatestothesickman，hardlyknowingwhathewasdoing，untilhebeheldhismasterfaraway，clatteringdownthesteepbridle—path。
Eightleagueshadheriddenthatdaywithneitherastopnorastay；butnowatlasttheendofhisjourneyhadcome，andhedrewreinundertheshadeofthegreatwoodengatewayofSt。
Michaelsburg。
Hereacheduptotheknottedropeandgaveitapull，andfromwithinsoundedtheansweringringoftheporter’sbell。Byandbyalittlewicketopenedinthegreatwoodenportals，andthegentle，wrinkledfaceofoldBrotherBenedict，theporter，peepedoutatthestrangeiron—cladvisitorandthegreatblackwar—horse，streakedandwetwiththesweatofthejourney，fleckedanddappledwithflakesoffoam。Afewwordspassedbetweenthem，andthenthelittlewindowwasclosedagain；andwithin，theshufflingpatofthesandalledfeetsoundedfainterandfainter，asBrotherBenedictborethemessagefromBaronConradtoAbbotOtto，andthemail—cladfigurewasleftalone，sittingthereassilentasastatue。
Byandbythefootstepssoundedagain；therecameanoiseofclatteringchainsandtherattleofthekeyinthelock，andtheraspingoftheboltsdraggedback。Thenthegateswungslowlyopen，andBaronConradrodeintotheshelteroftheWhiteCross，andasthehoofsofhiswar—horseclasheduponthestonesofthecourtyardwithin，thewoodengateswungslowlytobehindhim。
AbbotOttostoodbythetablewhenBaronConradenteredthehigh—vaultedroomfromthefartherend。Thelightfromtheorielwindowbehindtheoldmanshedbrokenraysoflightuponhim，andseemedtoframehisthingrayhairswithagoldenglory。Hiswhite，delicatehandresteduponthetablebesidehim，anduponsomesheetsofparchmentcoveredwithrowsofancientGreekwritingwhichhehadbeenengagedindeciphering。
Clank!clank!clank!BaronConradstrodeacrossthestonefloor，andthenstoppedshortinfrontofthegoodoldman。
\"Whatdostthouseekhere，myson？\"saidtheAbbot。
\"Iseeksanctuaryformysonandthybrother’sgrandson，\"saidtheBaronConrad，andheflungbackthefoldsofhiscloakandshowedthefaceofthesleepingbabe。
ForawhiletheAbbotsaidnothing，butstoodgazingdreamilyatthebaby。Afterawhilehelookedup。\"Andthechild’smother，\"
saidhe—\"whathathshetosayatthis？\"
\"Shehathnaughttosay，\"saidBaronConrad，hoarsely，andthenstoppedshortinhisspeech。\"Sheisdead，\"saidhe，atlast，inahuskyvoice，\"andiswithGod’sangelsinparadise。\"
TheAbbotlookedintentlyintheBaron’sface。\"So!\"saidhe，underhisbreath，andthenforthefirsttimenoticedhowwhiteanddrawnwastheBaron’sface。\"Artsickthyself？\"heasked。
\"Ay，\"saidtheBaron，\"Ihavecomefromdeath’sdoor。Butthatisnomatter。Wiltthoutakethislittlebabeintosanctuary？Myhouseisavile，roughplace，andnotfitforsuchashe，andhismotherwiththeblessedsaintsinheaven。\"AndoncemoreConradofDrachenhausen’sfacebegantwitchingwiththepainofhisthoughts。
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman，gently，\"heshalllivehere，\"andhestretchedouthishandsandtookthebabe。\"Would，\"saidhe，\"thatallthelittlechildreninthesedarktimesmightbethusbroughttothehouseofGod，andtherelearnmercyandpeace，insteadofrapineandwar。\"
Forawhilehestoodlookingdowninsilenceatthebabyinhisarms，butwithhismindfarawayuponotherthings。Atlastherousedhimselfwithastart。\"Andthou，\"saidhetotheBaronConrad—\"hathnotthyheartbeenchastenedandsoftenedbythis？Surelythouwiltnotgobacktothyoldlifeofrapineandextortion？\"
\"Nay，\"saidBaronConrad，gruffly，\"Iwillrobthecityswinenolonger，forthatwasthelastthingthatmydearoneaskedofme。\"
TheoldAbbot’sfacelitupwithasmile。\"Iamrightgladthatthyheartwassoftened，andthatthouartwillingatlasttoceasefromwarandviolence。\"
\"Nay，\"criedtheBaron，roughly，\"Isaidnothingofceasingfromwar。Byheaven，no!Iwillhaverevenge!\"Andheclashedhisironfootuponthefloorandclinchedhisfistsandgroundhisteethtogether。\"Listen，\"saidhe，\"andIwilltelltheehowmytroubleshappened。AfortnightagoIrodeoutuponanexpeditionagainstacaravanoffatburghersinthevalleyofGruenhoffen。
Theyoutnumberedusmanytoone，butcityswinesuchastheyarenotofthestufftostandagainstourkindforalongtime。
Nevertheless，whilethemen—at—armswhoguardedthecaravanwerestayinguswithpikeandcross—bowfrombehindatreewhichtheyhadfelledinfrontofahighbridgetheothershaddriventhepack—horsesoff，sothatbythetimewehadforcedthebridgetheywerealeagueormoreaway。Wepushedafterthemashardaswewereable，butwhenwecameupwiththemwefoundthattheyhadbeenjoinedbyBaronFrederickofTrutz—Drachen，towhomforthreeyearsandmoretheburghersofGruenstadthavebeenpayingatributeforhisprotectionagainstothers。Thenagaintheymadeastand，andthistimetheBaronFrederickhimselfwaswiththem。
Butthoughthedogsfoughtwell，wewereforcingthemback，andmighthavegotthebetterofthem，hadnotmyhorsestumbleduponaslopingstone，andsofellandrolledoveruponme。WhileIlaytherewithmyhorseuponme，BaronFrederickranmedownwithhislance，andgavemethatfoulwoundthatcamesoneartoslayingme—anddidslaymydearwife。Nevertheless，mymenwereabletobringmeoutfromthatpressandaway，andwehadbittentheTrutz—Drachendogssodeepthattheyweretoosoretofollowus，andsoletusgoourwayinpeace。Butwhenthosefoolsofminebroughtmetomycastletheyboremelyinguponalittertomywife’schamber。Thereshebeheldme，and，thinkingmedead，swoonedadeath—swoon，sothatsheonlylivedlongenoughtoblesshernew—bornbabeandnameitOtto，foryou，herfather’sbrother。But，byheavens!Iwillhaverevenge，rootandbranch，uponthatviletribe，theRoderburgsofTrutz—
Drachen。Theirgreat—grandsirebuiltthatcastleinscornofBaronCasperintheolddays；theirgrandsireslewmyfather’sgrandsire；BaronNicholasslewtwoofourkindred；andnowthisBaronFrederickgivesmethatfoulwoundandkillsmydearwifethroughmybody。\"HeretheBaronstoppedshort；thenofasudden，shakinghisfistabovehishead，hecriedoutinhishoarsevoice：\"Iswearbyallthesaintsinheaven，eithertheredcockshallcrowovertheroofofTrutz—Drachenorelseitshallcrowovermyhouse!TheblackdogshallsitonBaronFrederick’sshouldersorelseheshallsitonmine!\"Againhestopped，andfixinghisblazingeyesupontheoldman，\"Hearestthouthat，priest？\"saidhe，andbrokeintoagreatboisterouslaugh。
AbbotOttosighedheavily，buthetriednofurthertopersuadetheotherintodifferentthoughts。
\"Thouartwounded，\"saidhe，atlast，inagentlevoice；\"atleaststayherewithusuntilthouarthealed。\"
\"Nay，\"saidtheBaron，roughly，\"Iwilltarrynolongerthantoheartheepromisetocareformychild。\"
\"Ipromise，\"saidtheAbbot；\"butlayasidethyarmor，andrest。\"
\"Nay，\"saidtheBaron，\"Igobackagainto—day。\"
AtthistheAbbotcriedoutinamazement：\"Surethou，woundedman，wouldnottakethatlongjourneywithoutaduestayforresting!Think!Nightwillbeupontheebeforethoucanstreachhomeagain，andtheforestsarebesetwithwolves。\"
TheBaronlaughed。\"ThosearenotthewolvesIfear，\"saidhe。
\"Urgemenofurther，Imustreturnto—night；yetifthouhastamindtodomeakindnessthoucanstgivemesomefoodtoeatandaflaskofyourgoldenMichaelsburg；beyondthese，Iasknofurtherfavorofanyman，behepriestorlayman。\"
\"WhatcomfortIcangivetheethoushalthave，\"saidtheAbbot，inhispatientvoice，andsolefttheroomtogivetheneedfulorders，bearingthebabewithhim。
V。
HowOttoDweltatSt。Michaelsburg。
Sothepoor，little，motherlesswaiflivedamongtheoldmonksattheWhiteCrossonthehill，thrivingandgrowingapaceuntilhehadreachedelevenortwelveyearsofage；aslender，fair—
hairedlittlefellow，withastrange，quietseriousmanner。
\"Poorlittlechild!\"OldBrotherBenedictwouldsometimessaytotheothers，\"poorlittlechild!Thetroublesinwhichhewasbornmusthavebrokenhiswitslikeaglasscup。Whatthinkyehesaidtometo—day？’DearBrotherBenedict，’saidhe，’dostthoushavethehairoffofthetopofthyheadsothatthedearGodmayseethythoughtsthebetter？’Thinkofthatnow!\"andthegoodoldmanshookwithsilentlaughter。
WhensuchtalkcametothegoodFatherAbbot’sears，hesmiledquietlytohimself。\"Itmaybe，\"saidhe，\"thatthewisdomoflittlechildrenflieshigherthanourheavywitscanfollow。\"
AtleastOttowasnotslowwithhisstudies，andBrotherEmmanuel，whotaughthimhislessons，saidmorethanoncethat，ifhiswitswerecrackedinotherways，theyweresoundenoughinLatin。
Otto，inaquaint，simplewaywhichbelongedtohim，wasgentleandobedienttoall。ButtherewasoneamongtheBrethrenofSt。
Michaelsburgwhomhelovedfarabovealltherest—BrotherJohn，apoorhalf—wittedfellow，ofsometwenty—fiveorthirtyyearsofage。Whenaverylittlechild，hehadfallenfromhisnurse’sarmsandhurthishead，andashegrewupintoboyhood，andshowedthathiswitshadbeenaddledbyhisfall，hisfamilyknewnotwhatelsetodowithhim，andsosenthimofftotheMonasteryofSt。Michaelsburg，wherehelivedhissimple，witlesslifeuponasortofsufferance，asthoughhewereatame，harmlessanimal。
WhileOttowasstillalittlebaby，hehadbeengivenintoBrotherJohn’scare。Thereafter，anduntilOttohadgrownoldenoughtocareforhimself，poorBrotherJohnneverlefthislittlecharge，nightorday。OftentimesthegoodFatherAbbot，comingintothegarden，wherehelovedtowalkaloneinhismeditations，wouldfindthepoor，simpleBrothersittingundertheshadeofthepear—tree，closetothebee—hives，rockingthelittlebabyinhisarms，singingstrange，crazysongstoit，andgazingfarawayintotheblue，emptyskywithhiscurious，paleeyes。
Although，asOttogrewupintoboyhood，hislessonsandhistasksseparatedhimfromBrotherJohn，thebondbetweenthemseemedtogrowstrongerratherthanweaker。DuringthehoursthatOttohadforhisowntheywerescarcelyeverapart。Downinthevineyard，wherethemonksweregatheringthegrapesforthevintage，inthegarden，orinthefields，thetwowerealwaysseentogether，eitherwanderinghandinhand，orseatedinsomeshadynookorcorner。
Butmostofalltheylovedtolieupintheairywoodenbelfry；
thegreatgapingbellhangingdarklyabovethem，themoulderingcross—beamsglimmeringfarupunderthedimshadowsoftheroof，wheredweltagreatbrownowlthat，unfrightenedattheirfamiliarpresence，stareddownatthemwithhisround，solemneyes。Belowthemstretchedthewhitewallsofthegarden，beyondthemthevineyard，andbeyondthatagainthefarshiningriver，thatseemedtoOtto’smindtoleadintowonder—land。Therethetwowouldlieuponthebelfryfloorbythehour，talkingtogetherofthestrangestthings。
\"IsawthedearAngelGabrielagainyestermorn，\"saidBrotherJohn。
\"So!\"saysOtto，seriously；\"andwherewasthat？\"
\"Itwasoutinthegarden，intheoldapple—tree，\"saidBrotherJohn。\"Iwaswalkingthere，andmywitswererunningaroundinthegrasslikeamouse。WhatheardIbutawonderfulsoundofsinging，anditwaslikethehumofagreatbee，onlysweeterthanhoney。SoIlookedupintothetree，andthereIsawtwosparks。Ithoughtatfirstthattheyweretwostarsthathadfallenoutofheaven；butwhatthinkyoutheywere，littlechild？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"saidOtto，breathlessly。
\"Theywereangel’seyes，\"saidBrotherJohn；andhesmiledinthestrangestway，ashegazedupintothebluesky。\"SoI
lookedatthetwosparksandfelthappy，asonedoesinspringtimewhenthecoldweatherisgone，andthewarmsunshines，andthecuckoosingsagain。Then，by—and—by，Isawthefacetowhichtheeyesbelonged。First，itshonewhiteandthinlikethemooninthedaylight；butitgrewbrighterandbrighter，untilithurtone’seyestolookatit，asthoughithadbeentheblessedsunitself。AngelGabriel’shandwasaswhiteassilver，andinitheheldagreenboughwithblossoms，likethosethatgrowonthethornbush。Asforhisrobe，itwasallofonepiece，andfinerthantheFatherAbbot’slinen，andshonebesidelikethesunlightonpuresnow。SoIknewfromallthesethingsthatitwastheblessedAngelGabriel。\"
\"Whatdotheysayaboutthistree，BrotherJohn？\"saidhetome。
\"Theysayitisdying，myLordAngel，\"saidI，\"andthatthegardenerwillbringasharpaxeandcutitdown。\"
\"’Andwhatdostthousayaboutit，BrotherJohn？’saidhe。\"
\"’Ialsosayyes，andthatitisdying，’saidI。\"
\"AtthathesmileduntilhisfaceshonesobrightthatIhadtoshutmyeyes。\"
\"’NowIbegintobelieve，BrotherJohn，thatthouartasfoolishasmensay，’saidhe。’Look，tillIshowthee。’AndthereatI
openedmineeyesagain。\"
\"ThenAngelGabrieltouchedthedeadbrancheswiththeflowerytwigthatheheldinhishand，andtherewasthedeadwoodallcoveredwithgreenleaves，andfairblossomsandbeautifulapplesasyellowasgold。Eachsmellingmoresweetlythanagardenofflowers，andbettertothetastethanwhitebreadandhoney。
\"’Theyaresoulsoftheapples，’saidthegoodAngel，’andtheycanneverwitheranddie。’
\"’ThenI’lltellthegardenerthatheshallnotcutthetreedown，’saidI。\"
\"’No，no，’saidthedearGabriel，’thatwillneverdo，forifthetreeisnotcutdownhereontheearth，itcanneverbeplantedinparadise。’
HereBrotherJohnstoppedshortinhisstory，andbegansingingoneofhiscrazysongs，ashegazedwithhispaleeyesfarawayintonothingatall。
\"Buttellme，BrotherJohn，\"saidlittleOtto，inahushedvoice，\"whatelsedidthegoodAngelsaytothee？\"
BrotherJohnstoppedshortinhissongandbeganlookingfromrighttoleft，andupanddown，asthoughtogatherhiswits。
\"So!\"saidhe，\"therewassomethingelsethathetoldme。Tschk!
IfIcouldbutthinknow。Yes，good!Thisisit—’Nothingthathaslived，’saidhe，’shalleverdie，andnothingthathasdiedshalleverlive。’
Ottodrewadeepbreath。\"IwouldthatImightseethebeautifulAngelGabrielsometime，\"saidhe；butBrotherJohnwassingingagainanddidnotseemtohearwhathesaid。
NexttoBrotherJohn，thenearestonetothelittlechildwasthegoodAbbotOtto，forthoughhehadneverseenwonderfulthingswiththeeyesofhissoul，suchasBrotherJohn’shadbeheld，andsocouldnottellofthem，hewasyetabletogivelittleOttoanotherpleasurethatnooneelsecouldgive。
Hewasagreatloverofbooks，theoldAbbot，andhadunderlockandkeywonderfulandbeautifulvolumes，boundinhog—skinandmetal，andwithcoversinlaidwithcarvedivory，orstuddedwithpreciousstones。Butwithinthesecovers，beautifulastheywere，laytherealwonderofthebooks，likethesoulinthebody；forthere，besidetheblacklettersandinitials，gaywithredandblueandgold，werebeautifulpicturespainteduponthecreamyparchment。SaintsandAngels，theBlessedVirginwiththegoldenorioleaboutherhead，goodSt。Joseph，thethreeKings；
thesimpleShepherdskneelinginthefields，whileAngelswithgloriesabouttheirbrowcalledtothepoorPeasantsfromtheblueskyabove。But，mostbeautifulofallwasthepictureoftheChristChildlyinginthemanger，withthemild—eyedKinegazingathim。
SometimestheoldAbbotwouldunlocktheiron—boundchestwherethesetreasureslayhidden，andcarefullyandlovinglybrushingthefewgrainsofdustfromthem，wouldlaythemuponthetablebesidetheorielwindowinfrontofhislittlenamesake，allowingthelittleboyfreedomtoturntheleavesashechose。
AlwaysitwasonepicturethatlittleOttosought；theChristChildinthemanger，withtheVirgin，St。Joseph，theShepherds，andtheKine。Andashewouldhangbreathlesslygazingandgazinguponit，theoldAbbotwouldsitwatchinghimwithafaint，half—sadsmileflickeringaroundhisthinlipsandhispale，narrowface。
Itwasapleasant，peacefullife，butby—and—bytheendcame。
Ottowasnownearlytwelveyearsold。
Onebright，clearday，nearthehourofnoon，littleOttoheardtheporter’sbellsoundingbelowinthecourt—yard—dong!dong!
BrotherEmmanuelhadbeenappointedastheboy’sinstructor，andjustthenOttowasconninghislessonsinthegoodmonk’scell。
Nevertheless，atthesoundofthebellheprickeduphisearsandlistened，foravisitorwasastrangematterinthatout—of—
the—wayplace，andhewonderedwhoitcouldbe。So，whilehiswitswanderedhislessonslagged。
\"PosteraPhoebalustrabatlampadeterras，\"continuedBrotherEmmanuel，inexorablyrunninghishornyfinger—nailbeneaththeline，\"humentemqueAurorapolodimoveratumbram—\"thelessondraggedalong。
Justthenasandaledfootstepsoundedwithout，inthestonecorridor，andalighttapfelluponBrotherEmmanuel’sdoor。ItwasBrotherIgnatius，andtheAbbotwishedlittleOttotocometotherefectory。
Astheycrossedthecourt—yardOttostaredtoseeagroupofmail—cladmen—at—arms，somesittingupontheirhorses，somestandingbythesaddle—bow。\"Yonderistheyoungbaron，\"heheardoneofthemsayinagruffvoice，andthereuponallturnedandstaredathim。
Astrangerwasintherefectory，standingbesidethegoodoldAbbot，whilefoodandwinewerebeingbroughtandsetuponthetableforhisrefreshment；agreat，tall，broad—shoulderedman，besidewhomtheAbbotlookedthinnerandslighterthanever。
Thestrangerwascladallinpolishedandgleamingarmor，ofplateandchain，overwhichwasdrawnalooserobeofgraywoollenstuff，reachingtothekneesandboundaboutthewaistbyabroadleathernsword—belt。Uponhisarmhecarriedagreathelmetwhichhehadjustremovedfromhishead。Hisfacewasweather—beatenandrugged，andonlipandchinwasawiry，bristlingbeard；oncered，nowfrostedwithwhite。
BrotherIgnatiushadbiddenOttotoenter，andhadthenclosedthedoorbehindhim；andnow，astheladwalkedslowlyupthelongroom，hegazedwithround，wonderingblueeyesatthestranger。
\"DostknowwhoIam，Otto？saidthemail—cladknight，inadeep，growlingvoice。
\"Methinksyouaremyfather，sir，\"saidOtto。
\"Aye，thouartright，\"saidBaronConrad，\"andIamgladtoseethatthesemilk—churningmonkshavenotallowedtheetoforgetme，andwhothouartthyself。\"
\"An’itpleaseyou，\"saidOtto，\"noonechurnethmilkherebutBrotherFritz；webemakersofwineandnotmakersofbutter，atSt。Michaelsburg。\"
BaronConradbrokeintoagreat，loudlaugh，butAbbotOtto’ssadandthoughtfulfacelitupwithnoshadowofanansweringsmile。
\"Conrad，\"saidhe，turningtotheother，\"againletmeurgethee；donottakethechildhence，hislifecanneverbeyourlife，forheisnotfittedforit。Ihadthought，\"saidhe，afteramoment’spause，\"Ihadthoughtthatthouhadstmeanttoconsecratehim—thismotherlessone—tothecareoftheUniversalMotherChurch。\"
\"So!\"saidtheBaron，\"thouhadstthoughtthat，hadstthou？ThouhadstthoughtthatIhadintendedtodeliveroverthisboy，thelastoftheVuelphs，tothearmsoftheChurch？Whatthenwastobecomeofournameandthegloryofourraceifitwastoendwithhiminamonastery？No，DrachenhausenisthehomeoftheVuelphs，andtherethelastoftheraceshallliveashissireshavelivedbeforehim，holdingtohisrightsbythepowerandthemightofhisrighthand。\"
TheAbbotturnedandlookedattheboy，whowasgapinginsimplewide—eyedwondermentfromonetotheotherastheyspoke。
\"Anddostthouthink，Conrad，\"saidtheoldman，inhisgentle，patientvoice，\"thatthatpoorchildcanmaintainhisrightsbythestrengthofhisrighthand？\"
TheBaron’slookfollowedtheAbbot’s，andhesaidnothing。
Inthefewsecondsofsilencethatfollowed，littleOtto，inhissimplemind，waswonderingwhatallthistalkportended。WhyhadhisfathercomehithertoSt。Michaelsburg，lightingupthedimsilenceofthemonasterywiththeflashandringofhispolishedarmor？Whyhadhetalkedaboutchurningbutterbutnow，whenalltheworldknewthatthemonksofSt。Michaelsburgmadewine。
ItwasBaronConrad’sdeepvoicethatbrokethelittlepauseofsilence。
\"Ifyouhavemadeamilkmaidoftheboy，\"heburstoutatlast，\"Ithankthedearheaventhatthereisyettimetoundoyourworkandtomakeamanofhim。\"
TheAbbotsighed。\"Thechildisyours，Conrad，\"saidhe，\"thewilloftheblessedsaintsbedone。MayhapifhegoestodwellatDrachenhausenhemaymakeyouthebetterinsteadofyoumakinghimtheworse。\"
ThenlightcametothedarknessoflittleOtto’swonderment；hesawwhatallthistalkmeantandwhyhisfatherhadcomehither。
Hewastoleavethehappy，sunnysilenceofthedearWhiteCross，andtogooutintothatgreatworldthathehadsooftenlookeddownuponfromthehighwindybelfryonthesteephillside。
VI。
HowOttoLivedintheDragon’sHouse。
ThegatesoftheMonasterystoodwideopen，theworldlaybeyond，andallwasreadyfordeparture。BaronConradandhismen—at—armssatfootinstirrup，themilk—whitehorsethathadbeenbroughtforOttostoodwaitingforhimbesidehisfather’sgreatcharger。
\"Farewell，Otto，\"saidthegoodoldAbbot，ashestoopedandkissedtheboy’scheek。
\"Farewell，\"answeredOtto，inhissimple，quietway，anditbroughtapangtotheoldman’sheartthatthechildshouldseemtogrievesolittleattheleave—taking。
\"Farewell，Otto，\"saidthebrethrenthatstoodabout，\"farewell，farewell。\"
ThenpoorbrotherJohncameforwardandtooktheboy’shand，andlookedupintohisfaceashesatuponhishorse。\"Wewillmeetagain，\"saidhe，withhisstrange，vacantsmile，\"butmaybeitwillbeinParadise，andthereperhapstheywillletuslieinthefather’sbelfry，andlookdownupontheangelsinthecourt—
yardbelow。\"
\"Aye，\"answeredOtto，withanansweringsmile。
\"Forward，\"criedtheBaron，inadeepvoice，andwithaclashofhoofsandjingleofarmortheyweregone，andthegreatwoodengateswereshuttobehindthem。
Downthesteepwindingpathwaytheyrode，andoutintothegreatwideworldbeyond，uponwhichOttoandbrotherJohnhadgazedsooftenfromthewoodenbelfryoftheWhiteCrossonthehill。
\"HastbeentaughttorideahorsebythepriestsupyonderonMichaelsburg？\"askedtheBaron，whentheyhadreachedthelevelroad。
\"Nay，\"saidOtto；\"wehadnohorsetoride，butonlytobringintheharvestorthegrapesfromthefurthervineyardstothevintage。\"
\"Prut，\"saidtheBaron，\"methoughttheabbotwouldhavehadenoughofthebloodofolddaysinhisveinstohavetaughttheewhatisfittingforaknighttoknow；artnotafeared？\"
\"Nay，\"saidOtto，withasmile，\"Iamnotafeared。\"
\"ThereatleastthoushowestthyselfaVuelph，\"saidthegrimBaron。ButperhapsOtto’sthoughtoffearandBaronConrad’sthoughtoffearweretwoverydifferentmatters。
Theafternoonhadpassedbythetimetheyhadreachedtheendoftheirjourney。Upthesteep，stonypaththeyrodetothedrawbridgeandthegreatgapinggatewayofDrachenhausen，wherewallandtowerandbattlementlookeddarkerandmoreforbiddingthaneverinthegraytwilightofthecomingnight。LittleOttolookedupwithgreat，wondering，awe—struckeyesatthisgrimnewhomeofhis。
Thenextmomenttheyclatteredoverthedrawbridgethatspannedthenarrowblackgulphbetweentheroadwayandthewall，andthenextwerepasttheechoingarchofthegreatgatewayandinthegraygloamingofthepavedcourt—yardwithin。
Ottolookedarounduponthemanyfacesgatheredtheretocatchthefirstsightofthelittlebaron；hard，ruggedfaces，seamedandweather—beaten；verydifferentfromthoseofthegentlebrethrenamongwhomhehadlived，anditseemedstrangetohimthattherewasnonetherewhomheshouldknow。
Asheclimbedthesteep，stonystepstothedooroftheBaron’shouse，oldUrselacamerunningdowntomeethim。Sheflungherwitheredarmsaroundhimandhuggedhimclosetoher。\"Mylittlechild，\"shecried，andthenfelltosobbingasthoughherheartwouldbreak。
\"Hereissomeoneknowethme，\"thoughtthelittleboy。
HisnewhomewasallverystrangeandwonderfultoOtto；thearmors，thetrophies，theflags，thelonggallerieswiththeirrangesofrooms，thegreathallbelowwithitsvaultedroofanditsgreatfireplaceofgrotesquelycarvedstone，andallthestrangepeoplewiththeirlivesandthoughtssodifferentfromwhathehadbeenusedtoknow。
Anditwasawonderfulthingtoexploreallthestrangeplacesinthedarkoldcastle；placeswhereitseemedtoOttonoonecouldhaveeverbeenbefore。
Oncehewandereddownalong，darkpassagewaybelowthehall，pushedopenanarrow，iron—boundoakendoor，andfoundhimselfallatonceinastrangenewland；thegraylight，cominginthrougharangeoftall，narrowwindows，felluponarowofsilent，motionlessfigurescarveninstone，knightsandladiesinstrangearmoranddress；eachlyinguponhisorherstonycouchwithclaspedhands，andgazingwithfixed，motionless，stonyeyeballsupintothegloomy，vaultedarchabovethem。
Therelay，inacold，silentrow，alloftheVuelphswhohaddiedsincetheancientcastlehadbeenbuilt。
ItwasthechapelintowhichOttohadmadehisway，nowlongsincefallenoutofuseexceptingasaburialplaceoftherace。
Atanothertimeheclamberedupintotheloftunderthehighpeakedroof，wherelaynumberlessforgottenthingscoveredwiththedimdustofyears。Thereaflockofpigeonshadmadetheirroost，andflappednoisilyoutintothesunlightwhenhepushedopenthedoorfrombelow。Herehehuntedamongthemoulderingthingsofthepastuntil，oh，joyofjoys!inanancientoakenchesthefoundagreatlotofworm—eatenbooks，thathadbelongedtosomeoldchaplainofthecastleindaysgoneby。
Theywerenotpreciousandbeautifulvolumes，suchastheFatherAbbothadshowedhim，butallthesametheyhadtheirquaintpaintedpicturesoftheblessedsaintsandangels。
Again，atanothertime，goingintothecourt—yard，OttohadfoundthedoorofMelchior’stowerstandinginvitinglyopen，foroldHilda，SchwartzCarl’swife，hadcomedownbelowuponsomebusinessorother。
ThenupontheshakywoodenstepsOttoranwithoutwaitingforasecondthought，forhehadoftengazedatthosecuriousbuildingshangingsofarupintheair，andhadwonderedwhattheywerelike。RoundandroundandupandupOttoclimbed，untilhisheadspun。Atlasthereachedalanding—stage，andgazingovertheedgeanddown，beheldthestonepavementfar，farbelow，litbyafaintglimmeroflightthatenteredthroughthearcheddoorway。Ottoclutchedtightholdofthewoodenrail，hehadnothoughtthathehadclimbedsofar。
Upontheothersideofthelandingwasawindowthatpiercedthethickstonewallsofthetower；outofthewindowhelooked，andthendrewsuddenlybackagainwithagasp，foritwasthroughtheouterwallhepeered，anddown，downbelowinthedizzydepthshesawthehardgrayrocks，wheretheblackswine，lookingnolargerthanantsinthedistance，fedupontherefusethrownoutoverthewallsofthecastle。Therelaythemovingtree—topslikeabillowygreensea，andthecoarsethatchedroofsofthepeasantcottages，roundwhichcrawledthelittlechildrenliketinyhumanspecks。
ThenOttoturnedandcreptdownthestairs，frightenedattheheighttowhichhehadclimbed。