"I cannot understand the Emperor," he resumed; "he chatters like an old woman, and laughs as though he really were amused by these mummeries. But, after all, it may only be a mask, the better to deceive these Italians.--I wonder how he will look when he hears my message?" Goswin left the crowd, and entering the palace, sought the Imperial hall. "That fellow climbs well," said Barbarossa to the Pisan envoy; "see how tightly he clings to the slippery pole; I advise you to recruit him for your fleet." "We have plenty of sailors still more active than he Sire. The approaching hostilities against Naples will show you of what our men are capable." "Have the deputies yet started for Pisa and Genoa?" inquired the Emperor. "They went yesterday, Sire," replied the Pisan. "We will take advantage of the present opportunity, and no longer delay the punishment which the unfriendly behavior of the Neapolitan king so well merits. I am confident that the opposition of Venice is only prolonged by William's assistance." "Perhaps it would be well to curb the power of the Venetians a little?" remarked a Genoese. "It is not an easy matter, but your Majesty can be assured of our hearty co-operation." Frederic received this overture with evident satisfaction; the mutual jealousy of the Italian cities served his own projects admirably. "What tidings does the Knight Goswin bring us?" asked the Emperor, as the noble entered. "A communication which your Highness----" "Is it very important?" said Frederic, hastily, fearing lest the imprudent soldier might reveal, to indiscreet ears, things which ought not to be known to every one. "Excuse me for a moment, my lords," and he withdrew on one side with Goswin. "Well, what is it?" he asked. "Count Rechberg has returned to Lombardy." "Is that all? there was scarcely need to take the trouble of telling me anything so unimportant." "It was the abbot who announced it to me; and I was to communicate it to you," replied Goswin. "The abbot!--What abbot?" asked the Emperor. "The one who came to your camp before Milan, last summer." "The Abbot Conrad, you mean?" "Perhaps that is his name; he awaits you in the palace." "What motive can bring him?" inquired Frederic, greatly surprised. "I can tell you, Sire: the abbot comes in the name of the Archbishop of Salzburg, who is now near Pavia with some other prelates." "What is this you say?" cried Barbarossa; "the Archbishop of Salzburg in Italy, near us! How stupid in you, Goswin, to announce in this frivolous manner a matter of such great importance!" "I supposed that Count Erwin had, at least, as much importance in your eyes, as the Bishop of Salzburg," answered the knight. "But why does he remain outside of the town? What prelates are with him?" "You can ask him yourself, Sire." Frederic was going out, when the Podestà of Pavia entered. "One word only, Sire," he said.