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 ate the minds of his subjects, educate and elevate them, a blind opposition meets him everywhere. Even here in this forgotten old nest an ugly owl flutters her feathers against him.”

Just then a noise reverberated through the hall. The open door had slammed, and a weapon had fallen from the wall.

The harper looked around. “Did you aim at my head for my blasphemy?” he said, lifting the old mace from the floor and examining it? “Did you want to see how hard it was? Oh believe, old fellow, it would be a task to break it; it is well forged. But I see I should not rest well here among you, old weapons; it is not best to accept hospitality where a man is thus greeted. I will move on to see where I can make my headquarters for to-night.”

And the harper stepped to the next door.

Opening it, he saw before him a great hall which, judging from the furniture there arranged, had formerly served for dining and reception hall. Hanging on iron hooks that were fastened in the walls were broad boards,