at home was to protect his stronghold against a horde of
robbers who infested the neighbourhood. But there were those who
ascribed his reluctance to depart to another cause.

In a neighbouring fortress there lived a beautiful maiden, Maria
by name, who received a great deal of attention from Sir Conrad. So
frequent were his visits to her home that rumour had it that the fair
lady had won his heart. This indeed was the case, and she in return had
given her love unreservedly into his keeping. But as her passion grew
stronger his seemed to cool, and at length he began to make preparations
to join the wars in Palestine, leaving the lady to lament his changed
demeanour. In vain she pleaded, in vain she sent letters to him. At last
he intimated plainly that he loved her no longer. He did not intend
to marry, he said, adding cruelly that if he did she should not be the
bride of his choice. The lady was completely crushed by the blow. Her
affection for Sir Conrad perished, and in its place arose a desire to
be revenged on the unfaithful knight. The fickle lover had completed his
arrangements for his journey to the Holy Land, and all was ready for
his departure. As he rode gaily down from his castle to where his
men-at-arms waited on the shores of the Rhine, he was suddenly
confronted by an armed knight, who reined in his steed and bade Sir
Conrad halt.

"Hold, Sir Conrad Bayer," he cried. "Thou goest not hence till thou hast
answered for thy misdeeds--thou false knight--thou traitor!"

Sir Conrad listened in astonishment. A moment later his attendants had
surrounded the bold youth, and would have slain him had not Sir Conrad
interfered.

"Back!" he said. "Let me face this braggart myself. Who art thou?" he
added, addressing the young knight who had thus boldly challenged him.

"One who would have thy life!" was the fierce reply.

"Why should I slay thee, bold youth?" said Conrad, amused.

"I am the brother of Maria, whom thou hast betrayed," was the response.
"I have come hither from Palestine to seek thy life. Have at thee,
traitor!"

Conrad, somewhat sobered, and unwilling to do battle with such a boy,
asked for further proof of his identity. The young knight thereupon
displayed, blazoned on his shield, the arms of his house--a golden lion
on an azure field.

Sir Conrad had no longer excuse for refusing to do battle with the
youth, so with a muttered "Thy blood be upon thy head!" he laid his
lance in rest and drew