The Sword Maker | Page 8

of the greatest pieces of
impudence he had encountered in his long experience of men.
"After all, my merchandise," he said, "matters little one way or another
when I am engaged with such a customer as you. What next?"

"You will next place a price upon the shipload; a price such as you
would accept if the boat reached Cologne intact. I agree to pay you that
money, together with the thousand thalers, when I return to Frankfort."
"And when will that be, young sir?"
"You are better able to estimate the length of time than I. I do not know,
for instance, how long it takes a barge to voyage from Frankfort to
Cologne."
"Given fair weather, which we may expect in July, and premising that
there are no interruptions, let us say a week."
"Would a man journeying on horseback from Cologne to Frankfort
reach here sooner than the boat?"
"The barge having to make headway against a strong current, I should
say the horseman would accomplish the trip in a third of the time."
"Very well. To allow for all contingencies, I promise to pay the money
one month from the day we leave the wharf at Frankfort."
"That would be eminently satisfactory."
"I forgot to mention that I expect you, knowing more about navigation
than I, to supply a trustworthy captain and an efficient crew for the
manning of the barge. I should like men who understand the currents of
the river, and who, if questioned by the Barons, would not be likely to
tell more than they were asked."
"I can easily provide such a set of sailors."
"Very well, Herr Goebel. Those are my requirements. Will you agree to
supply them?"
"With great pleasure, my young and enthusiastic friend, provided that
you comply with one of the most common of our commercial rules."
"And what is that, mein Herr?"

"Before you depart you will leave with me ample security that if I
never see you again, the value of the goods, plus the thousand thalers,
will be repaid to me when the month is past."
"Ah," said the young man, "you impose an impossible condition."
"Give me a bond, then, signed by three responsible merchants."
"Sir, as I am acquainted with no merchant in this city except yourself,
how could I hope to obtain the signature of even one responsible man?"
"How, then, do you expect to obtain my consent to a project which I
know cannot succeed, while I bear all the risk?"
"Pardon me, Herr Goebel. I and my comrades risk our lives. You risk
merely your money and your goods."
"You intend, then, to fight your way down the Rhine?"
"Surely. How else?"
"Supported by only twenty followers?"
"Yes."
"And you hope to succeed where a thousand of our men failed?"
"Yes; they were hirelings, as I told you. With my twenty I could put
them all to flight. Aside from this, I should like to point out to you that
the merchants of Frankfort formed their combination at public meetings,
called together by the burgomaster. There was no secrecy about their
deliberations. Every robber Baron along the Rhine knew what you were
going to attempt, and was prepared for your coming. I intend that your
barge shall leave Frankfort at midnight. My company will proceed
across country, and join her at some agreed spot, probably below
Bingen."
"I see. Well, my young friend, you have placed before me a very
interesting proposal, but I am a business man, and not an adventurer.

Unless you can furnish me with security, I decline to advance a single
thaler, not to mention a thousand."
The young man rose to his feet, and the merchant, with a sigh, seemed
glad that the conference was ended.
"Herr Goebel, you deeply disappoint me."
"I am sorry for that, and regret the forfeiting of your good opinion, but
despite that disadvantage I must persist in my obstinacy."
"I do not wonder that this fair city lies desolate if her prosperity
depends upon her merchants, and if you are chief among them; yet I
cannot forget that you risked life and liberty on my behalf, though now
you will not venture a miserable thousand thalers on my word of
honor."
"On your behalf? What do you mean?"
"I mean, Herr Goebel, that I am Prince Roland, only son of the
Emperor, and that you placed your neck in jeopardy to elevate me to
the throne."

II
THE BARGAIN IS STRUCK
Every epoch seems to have possessed a two-word phrase that contained,
as it were, the condensed wisdom of the age, and was universally
believed by the people. For instance, the aphorism "Know thyself" rose
to popularity when cultured minds turned towards science. In the
period to which this recital belongs