Charlot, and lost no occasion to be
serviceable. The Prince loved to play chess, and Baldwin, who played
well, often made a party with him.

One day Charlot was nettled at losing two pieces in succession; he
thought he could, by taking a piece from Baldwin, get some amends for
his loss; but Baldwin, seeing him fall into a trap which he had set for
him, could not help a slight laugh, as he said, "Check-mate." Charlot
rose in a fury, seized the rich and heavy chess-board, and dashed it
with all his strength on the head of Baldwin, who fell, and died where
he fell.

Frightened at his own crime, and fearing the vengeance of the terrible
Ogier, Charlot concealed himself in the interior of the palace. A young
companion of Baldwin hastened and informed Ogier of the event. He ran
to the chamber, and beheld the body of his child bathed in blood, and
it could not be concealed from him that Charlot gave the blow.
Transported with rage, Ogier sought Charlot through the palace, and
Charlot, feeling safe nowhere else, took refuge in the hall of
Charlemagne, where he seated himself at table with Duke Namo and
Salomon, Duke of Brittany. Ogier, with sword drawn, followed him to the
very table of the Emperor. When a cupbearer attempted to bar his way he
struck the cup from his hand and dashed the contents in the Emperor's
face. Charles rose in a passion, seized a knife, and would have plunged
it into his breast, had not Salomon and another baron thrown themselves
between, while Namo, who had retained his ancient influence over Ogier,
drew him out of the room. Foreseeing the consequence of this violence,
pitying Ogier, and in his heart excusing him, Namo hurried him away
before the guards of the palace could arrest him, made him mount his
horse, and leave Paris.

Charlemagne called together his peers, and made them take an oath to do
all in their power to arrest Ogier, and bring him to condign
punishment. Ogier on his part sent messages to the Emperor, offering to
give himself up on condition that Charlot should be punished for his
atrocious crime. The Emperor would listen to no conditions, and went in
pursuit of Ogier at the head of a large body of soldiers. Ogier, on the
other hand, was warmly supported by many knights, who pledged
themselves in his defence. The contest raged long, with no decisive
results. Ogier more than once had the Emperor in his power, but
declined to avail himself of his advantage, and released him without
con