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 common treasury. Tell them at the same time that I ask them to admit me as soon as possible to a share of all their privileges and duties; that having broken off all communication with the world, I have no place to lay my head, and having parted with the Felsenburks, I have no right to remain another hour in this Castle. I left everything behind me; I took only this jewel, for it is a memento from my mother, and the only thing that I can safely call my own.”

Andrew once more pressed the harper’s hands to his heart, but the ring he threw into the fire.

“You will not become a Brother on the basis of a piece of gold, but for the gold of your heart, the purity of which I will guarantee with my life. We shall make room for you among us without a gift, and give you shelter and bread, which you will repay with work. You have come to the Castle at a suitable time. We shall have a very important meetningmeeting [sic] to-night, perhaps the most important in the last few centuries. I will speak to the