"I know--I know--they want to drive me to exhibit my gold and silver wares, many a piece of which they will purloin. But I am on my guard." "Neroweg, blood may yet flow before evening if the insolent fellows do not desist from their impertinencies. Our patience is near the end of its tether." "Fortunately, however, we, your faithful leudes, together with the footmen and the slaves whom we can safely arm, are as numerous as the men who compose the escort of Chram." "Come, come, my good companions; do not heat yourselves, my friends. If any quarrels should break out at table, dishes will be broken, and they will have to be replaced. We must bear that in mind." "Neroweg, honor is before dishes--even if the dish be of gold or silver." "Certainly, but it is unnecessary to provoke a quarrel. Keep yourselves on your guard, and see to it that watch is kept at the door of the women's apartment--hand on sword." "It will be done as you order." A moment later Prince Chram and the count found themselves alone in the latter's treasure room. They were engaged in an important and serious conference. "Count, how much are the treasures worth that are locked in these coffers?" "Oh, they do not contain much--they are large on the principle that it is always well to be provided with a large pot and a big coffer, as we say in Germany, but they are almost empty." "So much the worse, count. I wished to double, triple and even quadruple the value of their contents." "Are you jesting?" "Count, I desire to increase your power and wealth beyond even your hopes. I swear as much by the indivisible Trinity." "I then believe you. After this morning's miracle, you would not dare to risk drawing upon my house the fire of heaven, by taking so redoubtable an oath in vain. But what is your reason for wishing to add so greatly to my power and wealth?" "Because I have a personal interest in so doing." "You convince me." "Would you like to have domains as vast as those of a King's son?" "I surely would." "Would you like to have, instead of those half empty coffers, a hundred others bursting with gold, precious stones, vases, goblets, bowls, armors and costly fabrics?" "Certainly I would." "Would you, instead of being count of a city in Auvergne, govern a whole province--in short, be as rich and powerful as you could wish?" "By the indivisible Trinity, are you serious? Explain yourself; I drink in your words." "I swear to you by the Almighty God." "Do you also swear by the great St. Martin, my patron saint?" "I swear it also by the great St. Martin that my tender is serious." "Well, then, to the point. What is your project?" "At this hour my father Clotaire is outside of Gaul warring against the Saxons. I propose to profit by his absence and make myself King in the place of my father. Several counts and dukes of the neighborhood have entered into the conspiracy. Will you be with or against me?"