"
"Who needs me?" began the astonished monk.
"Follow him not, father!" whispered the hermit. "It is the young
Freiherr.--Oh have mercy on him, gracious sir; he has done your noble
lordships no wrong."
"I mean him no ill," replied Eberhard, clearing his voice with
difficulty; "I would but have him do his office. Art thou afraid,
priest?"
"Who needs my office?" demanded Father Norbert. "Show me fit cause,
and what should I dread? Wherefore dost thou seek me?"
"For my sister," replied Eberhard, his voice thickening again. "My
little sister lies at the point of death, and I have sworn to her
that a priest she shall have. Wilt thou come, or shall I drag thee
down the pass?"
"I come, I come with all my heart, sir knight," was the ready
response. "A few moments and I am at your bidding."
He stepped back into the hermit's cave, whence a stair led up to the
chapel. The anchorite followed him, whispering--"Good father,
escape! There will be full time ere he misses you. The north door
leads to the Gemsbock's Pass; it is open now.
Pages:
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125