"The Secret Tribunal."

"The Secret Tribunal . "

A LKGEN 1 ) OF OLD WESTPHALIA . 1 ! v ' ]' . C . W A I . L S . Author of "Saved by n Sign , " " higld and Shade" S ' c . CHAl'TKlt J .

fT was just at the stroke of midnight on the 2 i ) th day of October , in * the year of our Lord I 59 S- * . Tlie day laid been exceedingly fine considering the lateness of the season , but towards evening the rain commenced to full , and si . strong south-easterly wind had risen . Very few way-furcrs were to he seen , and those whose avocations or ' . inclinations had cansed them to bc abroad on so boisterous a night were hurrying homeward . Presently there sounded resonant aud powerful , and clearly heard above the howling tempest , the solemn ' chimes of the clock of tlie ancient Cathedial in the quaint , historic

city of Osnaburg , announcing * to tlio burglicrs and others wlio laid not yet coui * teu the drowsy god , that another day in the history of the world was about to pass for ever . On the night in question , und in one of the narrow , ill-paved , j * et picturesque streets of tho aforesaid JJorth German town , two stalwart men ,

carrying lanterns , slowly paced along . They were warmly clad , and apparently quite unmindful of thc " inclement weather . Had it been a calm , balmy night in summer instead of one in late autumn , they could not have evinced less concern . They bore stout oaken halberts , and were on duty as custodians of the public peace . Jn plain language they were ollicers of the city watch , and thus it was that they so quietly perambulated the highways and byways disregarding the raiu , the wind , and the cold .

" Well , Hoffman , my comrade , " said one , the younger of the two , ' * dost thou uot wish that thou wert within the doors of the "Duke ' s Arms , " with a tankard of good liquor in thine hand , and a bright glance from the pretty eyes of Franlien Gretchen , the daughter of thine host , to give n zest to the draught ? " " A truce to thy fooling , I pray thee , Meyer , " replied the other , sharply . " One would ' st think that thou had ' st never been out in a storm before . For nigh 20 years have I patrolled these streets in all weathers , good and bad , and it is little that 1 care to-night for the tempest , wild as it is . That was a terrible blast though , " he added . " Hark ! how the sign-boards creak ami groan . "

In such idle discourse they plodded on , ever and anon casting the glimmer of their lanterns into dark corners and gloomy portals , and occasionally trying the fastenings of the doors . The respective clocks of the venerable city had just chimed thc half-hour after midnight , when the men heard in the distance a cry that startled them . It was so piercing and pitiful in its tone that for a time they were unnerved . It sounded like tho voice of one in the direst agony , or whose last moments on earth had come . II living recovered their composure , they ran as fast as their heavv clothing and appointments permitted towards the spot

whence the cry had emanated . The first thing they noticed was a dark object lying on the ground . They lowered their lanterns , and by the flickering gleams they were horrified to perceive the form of a young man , whose features bore a terrible expression of anguish , and who evidently had been the victim of an outrage . In ( hose by-gone ( lays such a spectacle was common enough . The cities and towns of Europe were badly lighted , indifferently guarded , and everything conspired to render crimes of every description easy of accomplishment . Tlie watchmen at once calmly proceeded to ascertain if life still remained within the bod v .

"liy St . Ursula of Cologne ! This is a [ sad sight , " ejaculated Meyer , compassionately . " lie is quite dead , " remarked Hoffmann , sifter a careful examination . " Poor youth . What has he done to meet so dreadful au end ' i ltohbory apparently has not been attempted . See , his trinkets sire untouched . " This was true . Two rings of value sparkled ou the stiffening lingers .

"Thou art right , comrade , this deed is uot the work of a cut-purse , " said Meyer , pointing to a satchel that was suspended , according to the fashion of the time , to the slain man ' s girdle , and which could have been severed iu an instant if theft had been the object of the attack . The purse , upon being opened , wag found to contain numerous gold pieces . " A crime of revenge , I take it to be , " surmised his colleague .

They were about to raise the youth when their attention was attracted to a long , double-edged dagger that was lying close to the body , lt had probably boon plucked from the wound by the poor fellow ere consciousness forsook him . " Hoffman , this mav be useful , " remarked Mover , as he carefully secured the

weapon . They then crossed their halberts , and having arranged the victim ' s cloak thereon sous to form a rude litter , they bore the body tothe watch -house attached to tha Riilliaus , where the head constable , one Johanii Goetze , made an ollicial inspection of the remains . The deceased man was about 22 years of age , tall , and gracefully formed . He was richly apparelled . In one of the pockets of his trunk-hose thev found his tablets , and written therein was the name "Conrad

von \\ eber . " Conrad von Weber , " slowly muttered the chief of the watch . " Why he must be the son of Mein Hen- von Weber , onr laic liiirgomaslor . Poor fellow . I warrant that bright eyes will moisten and many a fair bosom be filled with sorrow when his untimely death is known . " His subordinate then produced the dagger , and related in what positson it

had been found . The hilt of the weapon was of silver , beautifully chased . It , however , bore no crest or oilier heraldic device , as was the general custom of the age . Upon closely examining il the ollicer discovered three small letters , Jt . D . F . and a pair of crossed swords . These emblems were so cunningly intermingled with the floriated scrolls on the hilt that they were scarcely noticeable . The man named Meyer was then sent to acquaint the ex-Hurgomaster with the tidings of the supposed assassination .

In the somewhat long interval that elapsed between the departure and return of the messenger with Herr von Weber , who proved to be ihe father of the ill-fated youth , Goetze . to pass the time , went to an old oaken and massive iron bound chest , and , having unlocked it , drew forth aud scanned a book on heraldry , printed in black leller . The work was qiiaintlv and profusely embellished with

engravings of the coal-armour borne by the noble families of the numerous states comprised in lhc greal ( iennan Kuipilv . The chief constable carefully . scrutinised the armorial b <* arings , bill no such design as was on the dagger , nor anything approaching it , could he lind ou ihe shields depicted in the book . His object in consulting the volume was lo trace , if possible , by means of the characters on the hilt , the escutcheon of ihe familv of the owner of the weapon .

. lohaiiu Goetze was a man of years , and of gieat experience in criminal matters . For the rude times iu which he lived he was exceedingly erudite and well versed iu old-world lore .

"The Secret Tribunal."

' Phis richly decorated poignard , he mused , "is of German make . By the Five Shrines of Osnabritok I can swear to that . It is unquestionably the property of a man of wealth , if not of high rank . What can the letters and crossed swords mean ? They puzzle me . I will call in the morning upon old Joachim Weigell , the armourer , and consult him on the matter . Between us we may arrive at somo conclusion that may be of use in tracing , and , 1 trust , bringing to justice the perpetrator of this fell outrage , "

Upon thc arrival of Herr von Weber , a very painful scene was witnessed . For a few moments the stricken father appeared dazed and stared at the body in an unimpassioned manner . He then took one of the inauimated hands in a strangely calm way . His face as yet bore no traces of emotion and his eyes were unmoistened . Suddenly the full horror of the tragic event and the great bereavement he had suffered hy the death of his first-born aud only surviving son overwhelmed him , and for a long time he bewailed his toss in language of the most poignant sorrow .

Thc kind hearted Goetze and his assistants were greatly moved at the distress of the poor man , and endeavoured to assuage his grief , but their well meant attentions were diregarded , if not entirely repelled . Presently he arose from the body , and brushing the tears from his eyes , he swore a terrible oath that he would rest neither day nor night till his boy ' s murder had been avenged . " What hast thou done , beloved of my heart , to die thus ? " he demanded , gazing iii'inrnfully upon the poor clav as if its cold lips could answer him . "The

best of sons , the noblest- ot men , the sincerest of friends , " he went on , " has perished in his youth , strength and comeliness , struck dowu by a dastard hand . " " How shall I break the news to his poor mother ? Yesterday was her birthday , and he gave her his miniature as a present . He kissed her again and again , and , clasping the portrait around her neck , he said , ' Mother , mine , wear this for the sake of one who loves thee fondly ; thou kindest of women , thou dearest of mothers . ' "

Geotze thought it advisable not to show Herr von Weber the weapon that had been discovered near tho body , nor to communicate thc suspicions that he had formed as to the motive for the crime . The bereaved father imagined that robbery had been the incentive , and that the prompt arrival of the watch had prevented its being carried out . In the early morning the chief constable repaired to the house of the armourer , with thc intention of taking that worthy ' s opinion as ' to where the dagger had been manufactured , and the meaning , if anv , of tho device on its hilt .

Old Joachim Weigell had just broken his fast , and greeted the official warmly . "To what do J owe the honour of this visit ? " said he , smiling , and offering his gucsr a seat . " But thou look ' st disturbed . Is thy coming of serious moment ? " " Yes , Joachim , of very serious moment , " slowly repeated his friend . " A murder was committed last night in our good city of Osnabriick . " The old armourer changed colour , and rose from his scat in alarm .

" The result of some drunken brawl or resisted pillage , 1 suppose , " he remarked . "No , 1 think not , " was the reply . " However , sit thee down , gossip , and 1 will tell thee all I know . " Goetze then related to his interested listener the facts as already narrated , and , having concluded , placed the dagger in the hands of the armourer . Joachim , upon seeing the weapon , started , and his countenance betrayed disquietude .

" Well , old friend , what thiuk ' st thou of it ' i" asked the chief constable , keenly glancing at him under his bushy brows . "If I mistake not , tlie mosfc cunning worker iu iron , brass , and steel of his time iu broad Westphalia , or all Germany for that matter , knows more about yon murderous blade than I do . " " Johann , it pleases thee to Hatter the humble handicraftsman , " was the observation of the other . " This pretty toy , " he proceeded , patting it gently , " was made at Xm-embmg , and , after the elegant fashion of the French weapon ,

designated a aiiscncoi-de . In the chivalric days , when battles were decided moro by force of arms than by cannon , culverines , and the like dread engines of modern warfare , this description of dagger was used by the knights to dispatch those adversaries , who , being unhorsed and worsted , begged not , nor were granted quarter . " " Ah . me . '" sighed the old man , " those were rare prosperous times for workers in armour and thc like . They are gone , I four , never to return . " " Have vou noticed the device on the hilt ' •* " asked Goetze .

The craftsman went to the window to more closely examine the , poignard . Ho had no sooner caught sight of the initials and crossed swords , than ho uttered a terrible cry , dropped the weapon , closed the door opening to tho street , and nervously drew the heavy oaken bar across it . The usually phlegmatic civic functionary was exceedingly startled at those proceedings on the part of the armourer , and excitedly asked : ' * What is the matter V "

Weigell did not reply tor a moment , but going to the portal of an inner room , called out : " Hans , do not let me be disturbed ou any account . I have business of importance with Mein Herr Goetze , " Having secured that door also , he sank tremblingly into a seat . ' * Come , come . Joachim , be a man , " said the chief constable , soothingly . " What ails theeold friend ' : * " and he drew his chair nearer to the armourer .

"That dagger belongs ton member nf the Feingerichte or Vehin-Gerichte , " hoarsely whispered Weigell . " Hy bringing it here , ye have unknowingly brought trouble on me and mine . " . " 1 am sorry to hear thee say that , " returned Goetze . " I have heard many wild tides of that fraternity in my youth , but 1 thought that they and their mysterious courts were numbered with the jiast . Dost thou know aught to tho contrary ' : " " Conrad von Weber . " slowly remarked t he armourer , not heeding the question , " was slain Jast night by a KreiscboflY * or Froisoboffej ) . "

"' Which means free justices , " said the other . " Well , who are they !•*" " They arc the ofiicers of the secret tribunal called a Freiding , " was thc reply , " and it is they who iire empowered to execute those whom thc court presided over by the h ' rci ' jriif has condemned to die by hanging or other punishment . " ' * That is exceedingly kind ou the part of the Freigraf and the Freischbffen , " said Goetze . smiling j "but I fail to see why a young gentleman like Conrad von Weber , who has borne hitherto , so far as I know , a blameless life , should have been sentenced bv them to perish . "

" Hush , hush , my good friend , " said Weigell , cautiously , and he held up his hand warniugly . " Speak Dot so loud , I pray thee . Thou mayst be overheard by one of the fraternity and thyself be cited to appear before them for daring thus lightly fo question theii acts or power . Will thou give me thy promise neither to reveal what I am about to tell thee , nor convey to the Iliirgomaster or any othcr authority of the city that yon weapon belongs to au ollicer of the dread Kemgeriehte ! - ' "

" I will , " assented his companion , inwardly amused by ihe earnestness of thc ot her . " Wilt thou also promise , " continued the armourer , " that thou wilt not seek to unveil the mystery that at present enshrouds the fate of the poor youth by any other means than those thou nseth in ordinary cases of crime *•"' "That will I , also , " replied the chief constable . " Jt would be unseemly on my part , " he added , "to doubt thy convictions , strange though they are , as to