He devoted his voice, his hands, his strength and his
life to the betterment of mankind.
THE ARTIST'S MASTER-PIECE
CHAPTERS.
I. THE GIFT.
II. UNDER THE EMPEROR'S BUSH.
III. No PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY.
IV. THE CONDITION.
V. THE FULFILMENT.
[Illustration: "Hans, undaunted, stepped up to her father."]
THE ARTIST'S MASTERPIECE
CHAPTER I
THE GIFT
A little village with its scattered glimmering lights lay in peaceful
dreams. Just as a black swan draws her young under her, so the mighty
Cathedral rested in the midst of the low houses, which seemed to creep,
like birds, under its wing.
It struck twelve from the church tower, and larger and smaller clocks,
near and far, carried the message onward. Dead silence again hovered
over the sleeping village.
Just as dawn bathed the hills in sunlight, two stately men wandered
along the Cathedral Square. One seemed somewhat older, with his full
gray beard. His hair, rich and abundant, curled beneath his velvet cap.
He walked so majestically that one could see, at the very first glance,
that he was no ordinary person, but one upon whose shoulders an
invisible weight rested. Handsome, tall and noble, just as one would
picture the highest type of man--a king from head to foot.
Here, in the little village of Breisach, as he named it, Emperor
Maximilian liked to rest from the cares of his Empire. Here, in this
little retreat, filled with calm and quietude, he loved to wander.
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