.

"That is good," said Hans, "then I will loose thy gag until thou hast
told me; only bear in mind what I said concerning my dagger."

Thereupon, he unbound his prisoner, and the fellow slowly rose to his
feet. He shook himself and looked all about him in a heavy, bewildered
fashion, as though he had just awakened from a dream.

His right hand slid furtively down to his side, but the dagger-sheath
was empty.

"Come, brother!" said Hans, impatiently, "time is passing, and once lost
can never be found again. Show me the way to the young Baron Otto or--."
And he whetted the shining blade of his dagger on his horny palm.

The fellow needed no further bidding; turning, he led the way, and
together they were swallowed up in the yawning shadows, and again the
hush of night-time lay upon the Castle of Trutz-Drachen.

XI. How Otto was Saved.

Little Otto was lying upon the hard couch in his cell, tossing in
restless and feverish sleep; suddenly a heavy hand was laid upon him and
a voice whispered in his ear, "Baron, Baron Otto, waken, rouse yourself;
I am come to help you. I am One-eyed Hans."

Otto was awake in an instant and raised himself upon his elbow in the
darkness. "One-eyed Hans," he breathed, "One-eyed Hans; who is One-eyed
Hans?"

"True," said the other, "thou dost not know me. I am thy father's
trusted servant, and am the only one excepting his own blood and kin
who has clung to him in this hour of trouble. Yes, all are gone but me
alone, and so I have come to help thee away from this vile place."

"Oh, dear, good Hans! if only thou canst!" cried Otto; "if only thou
canst take me away from this wicked place. Alas, dear Hans! I am weary
and sick to death." And poor little Otto began to weep silently in the
darkness.

"Aye, aye," said Hans, gruffly, "it is no place for a little child
to be. Canst thou climb, my little master? canst thou climb a knotted
rope?"

"Nay," said Otto, "I can never climb again! See, Hans;" and he flung
back the covers from off him.

"I cannot see," said Hans, "it is too dark."

"Then feel, dear Hans," said Otto.

Hans bent over the poor little white figure glimmering palely in the
darkness. Suddenly he drew back with a snarl like an angry wolf. "Oh!
the black, bloody wretches!" he cried, hoarsely; "and have they done
that to thee, a little child?"

"Yes," said Otto, "the Baron Henry did it." And then again he began to
cry.

"There, there," said Hans, roughly, "wee