ertrude
shall wait for me in vain, and thus shall we both be spared a sin.'

CHAPTER XXI.

On the subsequent morning Alf was standing in the king's anti-chamber
awaiting his commands for the day. There came the high bailiff
Krechting, a raging fanatic, a true second Johannes, with some soldiers
who were dragging along two of the royal pages, bound. Alf perceived by
their faces, which hunger and affliction had paled and emaciated, that
they were the two whom he had rescued from the hands of Matthias, and
compassionately asked the bailiff what crime the poor children had
committed.

'We caught them in the outworks,' answered the bailiff fiercely, 'as
they were attempting to escape to their old lord, the bishop. Announce
us to the king, brother officer.'

'Alas! dear lord,' said one of the boys, weeping; 'we have certainly
done nothing; but we could no longer hold out for hunger.'

'This affair might well be overlooked,' said Alf. 'To announce the
children to the king is to lead them to death,--and I do not wish to
take upon ray conscience such bloodguiltiness.'

The bailiff gave him a venomous look and hastily stepped into the royal
apartment. He soon made a signal at the door, and the soldiers dragged
the boys in after him. Immediately a loud noise was heard within,--the
king stormed, the boys wept and plead pitifully, and amidst all arose
Eliza's supplicating voice. 'For our love's sake, Johannes, only for
this time let mercy take the place of justice!' Simultaneously were
heard the lamentations of the two boys. Alf heard two hard falls upon
the floor, and, as if drawn by some irresistible power, he pushed into
the apartment.

What horrors had been perpetrated! The two boys lay dead upon the
floor, the king strode before them with his sword drawn, and at his
feet lay Eliza, who loosed her arms from his knees and sprang up.
Excited by the cruelty of her husband, and by her having pleaded in
vain against what he had done, the proud woman now exclaimed in the
bitterest tone, 'I do not believe, Johannes, that our God is served by
the calamities you have brought upon this people.'

Krechting absolutely screamed with amazement at the audacious speech.
The king, however, merely gave Eliza a cold, satanic glance, and
quietly said to her, 'in the market-place will I answer thee upon that
matter.' Turning then to Alf, 'let my wives and my whole court be
summoned hither!' commanded h