"The Secret Tribunal."

the existence afc the present time of that clandestine and terrible tribunal . I therefore , freely give thee my word not even to mention that I have consulted thee on the subject . No , no , old gossip , after a friendship of more than twenty ve . irs , I shonld be sorry to bring trouble to thy hearth where 1 have spent so many p leasnut hours . " " There spoke my dear old companion , " warmly cried the armourer , as he grasped the bauds of the oflicer . "As this is dry matter , " he added , jocosely , " what sayest thou to a morning stoup ? "

• ' By all means , " was tho reply . "But the subject has been tome not so dry as thou think ' st , for thou hast it-hetted my curiosity and I would gladly learn more . " " First , however , here ' s to thee and thine . " Thus saying , the man of law and order took a mighty draught from a decorated flagon of Cologne stoneware that bis host handed to him .

"If my memory plays me not false , " commenced Joachim , " I think it was in the year 1508 , that a sad circumstance occurred in this house . It was no less au event than the awfully sudden demise of a favourite workman of mine , one Wilhelm Gleim . He had been witb me some years , aud was a very clever craftsman . During a severe illness that overtook him , my good frau and I had carefully nursed him , and this fact hc apparently never forgot . A more docile , kind , and grateful creature than he never lived . On thc night preceding the

day that was fated to be his last on earth , he returned homo just as the clock of St . Johann ' s was striking ten . My wife had retired , bufc I was in yonder room tracing some designs for a damascened cuirass I had orders to furnish for the Margrave of Baden . Poor Gleim flung himself wearily upon a settle , and for a time I could not prevail upon him to speak to me . At last he toUttue , that he had been the concealed witness of it dreadful crime that had been committed in the open market-place , tho assassination of one who had befriended him . years

before . There were three men concerned in the outrage . After thoy had left he ventured to approach the body , and lying by its side was a dagger . He took possession of it aud hurried home . Having handed me the weapon , I examined it . I may here tell thee , it was like the ono thou bad ' st with thee to-night , with this difference , that the hilt was of brass and not of silver . He then told mo that ifc belonged to the Vehm-Gericht , sind was certain to bring misfortune to whoever found it . I closely questioned him as to how he became acquainted

with the history of the weapon , but he refused to tell me . He merely explained that tho device on the hilt was one of tho secret tokens belonging to the fraternity . I laughed at the superstitions notion of there being anything calamitous in becoming tho possessor of a simple blade of steel . I told him also that it was his business and mine as law-abiding inhabitants of Osnabriick to endeavour to bring the culprits to justice whether they were members of tho powerful feimjerichte , or mere braves . However , he BO

earnestly begged of mo not to interfere in the matter , and I must confess , somewhat alarmed me by the terrible authority that he declared was possessed by the secret tribunal , that I promised him that I would not move in the affair . 1 may state that the usual enquiry was held , hut the assassins of tho poor man were never discovered , and in a few days the whole subject was forgotten by the citizens . The circumstances , however , will be ever remembered by mc , as the hapless Wilhelm Gleim died the next day . Whether the illness referred to ,

aggravated by the shock at witnessing the tragic death of his former benefactor had weakened his heart , I know not , but true it is that he was struck down before my eyes whilst at his work . I hastened to his assistance , but he at once became unconscious and never rallied . His sudden dissolution had such a morbid effect upon mo that 1 became infected with the dead man ' s fears , and determined to get rid of the weapon that had so tragically fallen into my hands . That night 1 sallied out and consigned it to the bed of the neighbouring river , where I havo no doubt it lies rusting nt tho present moment . "

"A very strange story , tuy good friend , Joachim , " remarked tho ollicer modi tatively , " hut notwithstanding tho fate of thy craftsman , I do not for one momen believe that any mischance can befall a man because ho happens to become pus sessed of a weapon with a tragic history attached to it . Such a superstitions theory is an insult to common sense . Depend upon it , Gleim ' s death falling so closely upon the finding of the dagger was a mere coincidence . "

" 7 thought w > , too , " replied tlio other , "but my scepticism left me , when some time afterwards another mysterious crime was perpetrated in this very city and curiously enough , a similar blade was found adjacent to the victim and the linder of it , a young girl , ailed , sickened , and eventually died a few days after the discovery of tlie weapon , although her health previously had been most robust . " * ' Well , well , old gossip , " said the chief constable , cheerily , " 1 will not argue with thee any longer . The matter at the best is sad and of ill-omen . Hut I should like to know what the poor wretches had done to bring upon them the vengenee of the dread l- ' t'iinierii-liti : "

Having bidden the artificer "' Good-day , " Johann Goetz returned to the littthhalt * , deeply ruminating upon what he had heard , and fully determined to unravel , if possible , the mystery surrounding the death of young Conrad von Weber . " I will keep ' my knowledge , " he mused , " as to tho finding of the poignard from the authorities ; Hoffman and Mover must do likewise . Notwithstanding

my promise to my friend the armourer , 1 will try and ferret out the secrets of tho J- 'eiiiijerii-hte , if that society still exists in this old city of ours . The conscience of a peace-officer cannot be too elastic ; moreover , I am not the man to be easily frightened by old fruits tales , not- shaken by the superstitious fears or fatalism of my dear crony , Joachim Weigell .

C 11 APT Kit II . Days became weeks , and weeks lengthened info months , bnt the mystery enshrouding the fate of the unfortunate Conrad von Weber was not cleared up . His sorrow-stricken parents received both public and private sympathy , and were greatly comforted thereby . The ox-Burgomaster , however , had still one allabsorbing hope that the actual author of tlie deeil might yet he discovered and brought to justice . His good wife perceived with alann that this brooding

grief was undermining his health . In reply to her frequent remonstrances he would say , "No , Catherine , J cannot rest nor be happy whilst the wretch lives who consigned our handsome , guileless boy to an untimely grave . Something seems to tell me that my wish for vengeance will ere long be fully gratified . " Johann Goetze , the constable , was puzzled , lie felt that his reputation as an astute and clever blood-hound of the law was dimmed . Ho had ,

hitherto , succeeded iu discovering the perpetrators of numerous crimes , but in this instance he had to acknowledge to himself that he was completely baffled . It was exceedingly humiliating for him to have to admit defeat to his boon companion , the armourer . However , he had rallied that worthy over and ovet again upon the conviction Joachim stubbornly entertained as to thc fatality overhanging a linder or possessor of a weapon of the Feimjcricliti' .

" Do not scoff ut an old man ' s belief , " said Weigell , one day . " Jt is true as ye urge that JI oyer , who found the blade , and yo who keep it are well and prosperous ; but mark my words , good Johann , yo may yet regret that ye did not lake my advice mid hiii ' l thc accursed thing into the deep waters of the river . " A year had nearly elapsed when a strange adventure befell Goetze . He was sauntering in a large wood some distance from the city , and was suddenly overtaken b y a storm . The lightning was alarmingly vivid , aud loud was the roaring of heaven ' s ordnance . The official not caring to make his way home

"The Secret Tribunal."

through tho forest under such dangerous circumstances took refuge within a small disused quarry . Thero ho remained until tho tempest ceased . Ifc was then getting dark . Goetze was preparing to leave his shelter when ho suddenly heard voices . He could not catch what was said , bufc ho was considerably surprised to hear that the tones of tho speakers were cultivated . " Thoso are not woodmen , nor peasants , " he muttered . Presently he saw two men approaching whose habiliments proclaimed them to bc persons of a good position in lifo .

They did not observe him , although they glanced cautiously around , and having proceeded a few paces they pushed aside somo brushwood and disappeared as if swallowed np in the earth . The professional instincts of thc chief constable were aroused . A strange feeling took possession of him ; an inward monitor seemed to urge him to investigate the matter , yet a curious depression of spirits overcame him as if he were in the presence of some imminent danger . For a few moments he hesitated as his thoughts reverted to the old armourer ' s forebodings .

Curiosity , however , got tho better of his tears , and he quietly and by a circuitous route reached the spot where the men had vanished . Before ho could examine its surroundings he again heard voices and this time three men , closely muffled , approached the copse . He threw himself down within the cover of the undergrowth , and his heart nearly failed him . He instinctively felfc that , if discovered , his life would be forfeited , as it had suddenly flashed npon him that he had accidentally stumbled upon the entry to one of the secret meeting-places of

the dreaded tribunal of the Vclim-. Ocrieht , However , his presence was not detected , and the new-comers wero lost to view in the same mysterious manner as the others had been . Johann waited for a time , and then cautiously advanced to thc locality where they wero last seen . Upon pushing aside the branches of some firs , hc discovered a hole , about two feet in width , such as he had often noticed in his woodland rambles , as marking the entrance to the lair of a wolf , boar , or other wild denizen of the forest . He afterwards wondered at his

temerity in penetrating alone and unarmed into so forbidding a place . Having slowly advanced a few yards on hands aud knees , the tunnel , for such it was , increased in height , and ho was enabled to stand upright . Having proceeded thus far unmolested , his courage returned , and he determined to proceed with the adventure . He then observed that the passage began to descend , and ho sawsome distance below liiiu a . glimmering light . Still warily progressing , ho beheld , to his dismay , a tall , shadowy figure that was standing under a lamp , and

effectually barring further advance . The head was turned towards him , as if in the act of listening . This was too much oven for the iron nerves and phlegm of the stout official of tho law . His trepidation was so great that his frame shook , and his legs almost gave way beneath him . He inwardly cursed himself as a fool for proceeding so far Presently the figure disappeared , and Goetze lost no time in retracing his way , aud it was with a deep sigh of relief that he emerged , without

further adventure , into thc open air . He had nearly arrived at tho outskirts of the wood when his attention was again drawn towards the sound of approaching footsteps . Goetze concealed himself behind a tree , and allowed three wayfarers to proceed unchallenged , lie could not discern their features , as it was almost dark . One of them , in passing , said ¦¦ - "At what hour to-morrow is he cited to appeal * before tho Fi-etding ? " " At nine , " wns the reply .

" So , so , my friends , exultmgly muttered the chief constable , " I havo ye at last . Your mysteries after to-night shall be mysteries no longer . It is time your unlawful tribunal should cease to disgrace tho last days of the sixteenth cfentury . Never again shall assassination at your instigation be permitted to terrify the citizens of the chief town of Westphalia . " Thus animated , the stalwart chief of thc watch forgot his fears and his

fertile imagination conjured up the most pleasureable visions of emolument , reputation , and honour that might ere long be realised . He fancied he conhl hear the jiii'tuis that would proceed from his grateful fellow citizens and his superiors when he exposed and brought to light a society that was t 'Ought to have died out "W years before , and yet carried < m its rites with impunity , undeterred by law , and apparently oblivious to everything save its own stern behests .

Next morning he summoned his two trusty henchmen , Hoffman and Meyer , before him , nnd partly communicated to them tho startling incidents of tho previous evening . IIo asked them if they wero willing to accompany him that night to the mysterious trysting-place of the " conspirators against law and order , " joins such he designated them . His subordinates , who were men of inches and of

herculean build , readily complied . Before setting out on his adventure , worthy Johann Goetze provided himself with his warrant ns chief of the city watch , empowering hint at all times at his discretion and in tho exercise of his duties to enter unrecognised assemblies , there to arrest and convoy to prison all transgressors against the laws made and provided for the good government of tho lieges of the Prince-Bishop .

The trio , who were well armed , then set out on thoir adventurous quest , in good spirits and with stout hearts . Before entering the tunnel Hoffman looked o the trimming of his lantern . His chief entered first , aud upon arriving at the pot where he laid seen the figure on the preceding night , he was pleased to ( ind that it was not at its post . This was a fortuitous circumstance , as it enabled the

three ollicers of the law to advance unmolested to tho inner recesses of this cunningly contrived retreat . They had not proceeded more than some 20 yards when they saw iu front of thom a curtain of tapestry that appeared to cover the walls of some huge cave , behind tho obstruction they could hear tho subdued murmur of many voices . Cautiously approaching , they concealed themselves between the tapestry and the walls of the subterranean apartment .

Goetze , with the poiutof his dagger , then made u . small hole iu the first mentioned nnd applied his eye to the opening . What ho saw not only startled but considerably alarmed him . Having motioned to his followers to imitate his mode of espial , the eyes of the intruders wonderingly and greedily took in tho weird scene . It was a very lofty chamber they beheld , and the inner covering of its walls was black in colour , ventilation appeared to be given it from above . Some half dozen braziei-s stood at various parts , and securely placed in bronze sconces

were numerous Jlniiilmiiii ; whose lit * tl I gleams but imperfectly illuminated the sivange cavern and its ghastly accessories . At one end was a high dais and on it were three unoccupied seats . In front of these was a table covered with cloth of usable colour , relieved by white emblems . Below wns u small table of nndraped stone and on it were lain two naked crossed swords surrounded by wythes of willow . The centre seat on the dsiis was crowned by u black velvet banner , and thereon in white letters wero the words " Hcinir dor Fewer ! . " The other

two seats hail also banners of sable hue , and embroidered in red characters were the syllables , " Strirk , Stein , ttrttss , tlrein . " In the lower part of the chamber seats of stone were placed and they were occupied by figures clothed in black habits that shrouded them from head to foot , the only evidence of their humniiitv being thc orbs that shone through the opening in their cowl-like head-dress . Presently ono of tho figures arose , ami in clear , but solemn , tones demanded "' Brother Warden of tho Dell , is it not time ? "

I he hour lias come ! was the reply that issued from u shadowy form at the extreme end of the chamber , ' * Then let us welcome the advent of tho secret three , " said the first speaker . ' * Arise , my brethren ! llenieinber our watch-word , ' Hcinir dor i'Vireri . '" At that moment there pealed throughout the apartment three resonant strokes from a bell , and the whole assemblage stood up and bowed their heads reverentl y upon their breasts . Then from behind the dais three tall figures , apparelled like the rest , slowly entered , and , having courteously inclined their heads to those who