movement alarmed the Secretary, who started back a few steps, and perceived Saalburg. “We are betrayed!” cried he, and fired his pistol at the Baron. Saalburg felt himself wounded, but without hesitating an instant, returned the fire. With a loud groan, the Secretary dropped, and a large quantity of gold pieces was scattered on the floor. Overcome by loss of blood, and the agitation of his feelings, the Baron also sunk senseless on the ground.
He came to himself in a short time. Schirmwald’s lamp was burning by his side. His first glance was in search of Eleonora, who still lay immoveable on the ground. He raised her in his arms, without bestowing a thought on Schirmwald, and taking the lantern in his hand, he carried her to her chamber. The door was open. Her maids were fortunately still asleep. She soon recovered her senses. Saalburg would willingly have declined answering the questions she was disposed to put to him at that time.
“For Heaven’s sake, Baron Saalburg,” cried she, “one word only! Where is Schirmwald? What has happened to him?” “He fell by my hand,” answered the Baron, reluctantly. “Impossible! it cannot be! you are mistaken! Did you not see the spectre that met us at the entrance of the tapestry door?” “I saw nobody.” “The figure which drove me to a side, and as your ball whistled past my ear, seized on Schirmwald, dashed him down, and—” “My dear Eleonora, nothing of all this have I seen. Your overheated imagination has deceived you. Your pulse beats like lightning,—your senses wander. Be calm, I beseech you.” “Saalburg, say then at once, what do you know of the unfortunate Schirmwald?” “Only that he is a villain—an accomplished villain, whom I will unmask tomorrow.”
With these words, he left the room, and flew towards John’s chamber, whom he found awake. “In God’s name, Baron, what is the matter? You bleed. I heard a noise, but I did not dare to waken my master.” “Quick, my good friend, quick! Bind my arm, and then awaken the Baron.” Both commissions were executed immediately. “Ask no questions, my dear Neideck,” cried the Baron to the old man; “my wound is nothing; time is precious, follow me quick. John, light us to the chamber in the second story. I will tell you all as we go.”
The astonishment of the Baron, when he heard of Eleonora’s preservation, and the Secretary’s villany, was inexpressible. They came to the spot, but Schirmwald was gone. No traces of blood appeared, notwithstanding the dangerous wound, which, from his groans, Saalburg concluded he had received. Nothing was to be seen but Eleonora’s casket, which lay on the ground, and the gold which was scattered about the room. The door they could not find. Saalburg knew not what to think of the matter. One thing, however, was clear, that he had not to answer for the Secretary’s death.
Early next morning, Heubach the woodman appeared to claim his reward. He received the stipulated sum, after confessing, in the presence of the Baron and old John, the whole of his connection with the Secretary.
On looking over the forest-accounts, the sum which had been found scattered about the room the night before was ascertained to be wanting.
Neideck went to his daughter’s apartment, determined for once to tell her, without hesitation or disguise, the extent of her error; but he found it unnecessary. Full of shame and repentance, she threw herself at her father’s feet, and begged that he would allow her to retire into a convent. Neideck endeavoured to calm the enthusiast, and then proceed to acquaint her with Heubach’s disclosures, from which Schirmwald appeared in his true colours. Her confusion and remorse were indescribable. With tears of the deepest anguish, she threw herself on her father’s neck, who thanked God that his daughter was now again restored to him. Saalburg’s wound, and the delicacy which had induced him for some time to leave the castle, affected her deeply.
About three months afterwards, she requested her father to summon Saalburg to the castle. He flew thither immediately, on the wings of
