ng that would not be regarded as a very clerical or spiritual
proceeding to-day. A little later the Dean of Strasburg was
surprised by the retainers of the Lord of Windeck, and was in turn
carried a prisoner to the gray old castle of Windeck.

The captive dean had a niece, a lovely girl, who was deeply
attached to him. When she heard of his captivity she was much
grieved, and set herself to devising plans for his release.

At the foot of the grim old castle, in the Black Forest, there lived
an old woman. She was wiser than her neighbors, and was regarded as
a witch. She was able to tell inquirers whatever they wished to
know, and so was as useful as a newspaper, in her day and
generation.

She was the last of her family. She lived alone, and her only
society was some pure white hens, so large that the biggest of
modern Shanghai fowls must have been mere pygmies to them.

The people of the region were very shy of the old woman and her
strange hens. The timid never ventured past her door after dark,
after her hens went to roost.

She was surprised one winter evening by a rap at her door.

She listened.

Tap, tap, tap!

"Come in."

A fair young girl lifted the latch.

"I am belated in the forest. Will you give me shelter?"

"Come in and sit down. Whence did you come?"

"I am on my way to the castle, but night has overtaken me."

"You are very near it. If it were light, I could show you its
towers. But what can a dove like you be seeking in that vulture's
nest?"

"My dear uncle, the Dean of Strasburg, is a prisoner there."

"I saw him when he was dragged into the castle, and very distressed
and woe-begone the good man looked."

"I am going there to pray for his release."

"Umph. At that castle they don't give something for nothing. What
ransom can you offer?"

"Nothing. I hope by prayers and tears to move the count's heart."

"I am wiser than you in the world's ways,--let me advise you. Cry
with those pretty eyes, plead with your sweet voice, but not to the
old count."

"To whom?"

"To his son."

"Will he influence his father?"

"Girl, I have taken a liking to you. You have a kind heart; I can
see your disposition; I have met but few like you in the world. I
will tell you what I will do. I will give you one of my white hens."

"A _hen_?"

"Yes. Go with the hen to the castle and inquire for Bernard, t