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Article DAS VHEME GERICHT. ← Page 3 of 4 →
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Das Vheme Gericht.
" He is my friend , " exclaimed Wolfenstein , " and despite his folliesnay , crimes , if you will , " added the young noble , who saw that the stern brother was about to interrupt him . " To me he hath ever been a kind one . Cursed be tbe hour in which I became your associate—in which I bartered my liberty for your empty honours ! I renounce your band of blood , and claim my liberty . Ulrich is my friend , and shall not perish . "
"Count of Wolfenstein ! " exclaimed the elder , rising with dignity . " I can feel for the agony of the friend , but must still perform my duty . Resistance on your part were as mad as useless . Once let me proclaim my rank as Chief of the Free-Judges , not one of all your followers would raise a sword in your defence , even should I demand your life instead of your degenerate cousin ' s . My retinue , consisting of sworn brothers , are ready to perform my will . Painful as our mutual position is , it
is the result of circumstances over which we have no controul . Perform your duty , as I am resolute in the execution of mine . " A horn sounded at the gate of the castle as the speaker concluded ; the seneschal , in a few moments afterwards , entered the apartment and announced the arrival of Count Ulrich . " Your answer , " demanded the Chief of Vheme , drawing forth the mysterious abacus , the ensign of his authority , as he spoke . " Do you as you please , " murmured the Count of Wolfenstein . " I am unable to dispute my destiny ; but must it be this very night ,
and here , in these halls where he hath ever been a welcome , honoured guest ?" " This very hour , " answered the stern judge . " Wouldst thou that he should first break thy . bread and drink of thy cup ? and then " " Not for worlds ! " interrupted the Count of Wolfenstein . " Let me not add the sin of violated hospitality to blood . The chamber shall be prepared , the victim summoned . " " Herman tarries long" muttered the Ulrichas he strode
im-, weary , patiently up and down the wide hall of his cousin ' s castle . " I was not used to meet so slig ht attendance . No matter , " he added , bitterly , " I was then the courted and powerful Ulrich . The first of Suabia ' s nobles . What am I ? A hunted outlaw—the empire ' s ban upon me . " Two servitors , plainly dressed , bearing torches of the mountain pine , entered the hall , and informed him that they were commanded to attend him to the presence of his friend . "' Tis strange , " muttered Ulrich ,
glancing suspiciously at their habits , " such are not the liveries of Wolfenstein . Are you the born vassals of my cousin" he asked , " or merely casual servitors ?" " We are the attendants of his guest , who sojourns with him . " The men threw open the doors of the hall as they spoke , and Ulrich followed them from the apartment . On entering the room to which he was conducted , Ulrich , bold as he was by nature , started . He beheld the black banner of the Vheme p lanted in the centre of the room , and twelve judges , each armed with a cord ready to execute the fatal decree already pronounced . He felt
that his hour was come . " Brothers of the Vheme I" he cried . " I am prepared to die—no wish to avoid the penalty I have incurred ; but I am noble—the dagger , not the cord . Be satisfied with blood—add not dishonour . " " The Vheme ! " exclaimed a masked judge , who , unarmed , stood
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Das Vheme Gericht.
" He is my friend , " exclaimed Wolfenstein , " and despite his folliesnay , crimes , if you will , " added the young noble , who saw that the stern brother was about to interrupt him . " To me he hath ever been a kind one . Cursed be tbe hour in which I became your associate—in which I bartered my liberty for your empty honours ! I renounce your band of blood , and claim my liberty . Ulrich is my friend , and shall not perish . "
"Count of Wolfenstein ! " exclaimed the elder , rising with dignity . " I can feel for the agony of the friend , but must still perform my duty . Resistance on your part were as mad as useless . Once let me proclaim my rank as Chief of the Free-Judges , not one of all your followers would raise a sword in your defence , even should I demand your life instead of your degenerate cousin ' s . My retinue , consisting of sworn brothers , are ready to perform my will . Painful as our mutual position is , it
is the result of circumstances over which we have no controul . Perform your duty , as I am resolute in the execution of mine . " A horn sounded at the gate of the castle as the speaker concluded ; the seneschal , in a few moments afterwards , entered the apartment and announced the arrival of Count Ulrich . " Your answer , " demanded the Chief of Vheme , drawing forth the mysterious abacus , the ensign of his authority , as he spoke . " Do you as you please , " murmured the Count of Wolfenstein . " I am unable to dispute my destiny ; but must it be this very night ,
and here , in these halls where he hath ever been a welcome , honoured guest ?" " This very hour , " answered the stern judge . " Wouldst thou that he should first break thy . bread and drink of thy cup ? and then " " Not for worlds ! " interrupted the Count of Wolfenstein . " Let me not add the sin of violated hospitality to blood . The chamber shall be prepared , the victim summoned . " " Herman tarries long" muttered the Ulrichas he strode
im-, weary , patiently up and down the wide hall of his cousin ' s castle . " I was not used to meet so slig ht attendance . No matter , " he added , bitterly , " I was then the courted and powerful Ulrich . The first of Suabia ' s nobles . What am I ? A hunted outlaw—the empire ' s ban upon me . " Two servitors , plainly dressed , bearing torches of the mountain pine , entered the hall , and informed him that they were commanded to attend him to the presence of his friend . "' Tis strange , " muttered Ulrich ,
glancing suspiciously at their habits , " such are not the liveries of Wolfenstein . Are you the born vassals of my cousin" he asked , " or merely casual servitors ?" " We are the attendants of his guest , who sojourns with him . " The men threw open the doors of the hall as they spoke , and Ulrich followed them from the apartment . On entering the room to which he was conducted , Ulrich , bold as he was by nature , started . He beheld the black banner of the Vheme p lanted in the centre of the room , and twelve judges , each armed with a cord ready to execute the fatal decree already pronounced . He felt
that his hour was come . " Brothers of the Vheme I" he cried . " I am prepared to die—no wish to avoid the penalty I have incurred ; but I am noble—the dagger , not the cord . Be satisfied with blood—add not dishonour . " " The Vheme ! " exclaimed a masked judge , who , unarmed , stood