v1] THE RED BARON. 315

 

least this particular baron could never join with others
against me, as I had made a clear sweep of him and
his once for all.

‘We started leisurely about mid-day, and as the
cattle we drove before us somewhat delayed our march
it was well on in.the afternoon before we reached the
village near the.castle. No one came out to meet us ;
but this was not surprising, for the villagers rather
shunned than sought the presence of the Red Baron,
and I marvelled not that Isaw none of them. All was
quiet, too, as I rode up the old avenue at the head
of my men, and advanced up nearly to the castle gate.
Then, all at once, a piercing shrick rang through my
ears and filled my soul with terror. I knew—surely
I knew—that voice. It was my own, my darling
daughter whose lips had uttered the sound. But how
shall I describe the mingled anguish and horror which
it seemed to convey !

‘T pushed forward at once across the drawbridge,
which was down, and the castle gates were open.
All was silent, but a wail, softer but if possible more
heart-rending than the shriek I had first heard, smote
upon my hearing as I neared the door. It seemed
to come from the banqueting hall. The moments
which elapsed whilst I hastily traversed the corridor
were the most agonising in the whole of my earthly
existence. I knew not what to expect, and I feared
the worst. I rushed into the banqueting hall—what
a sight met mine eyes! The bodies of several men
lay here and there, who had evidently fallen after a
severe struggle—and at the end of the room, near
the head of the table, sat Christina—my own Chris-