Reaching the church, he made Kay swear upon the book how he came by that weapon, for greatly he doubted.
"I have not said I drew it," Kay replied, sullenly. "In truth, it was not achieved by me. Arthur brought me the sword."
"Arthur!" cried the lord. "Arthur brought it! How got you it, boy?"
"I pulled it from the stone," replied the youth. "Kay sent me home for his sword, but the house was empty and locked; and as I did not wish my brother to be without a weapon, I rode hither and pulled this blade out of the stone. Was there aught strange in that? It came out easily enough."
"Then the truth is plain. God's will has been revealed. You are the destined king of England."
"I?" cried Arthur, in surprise. "Wherefore I?"
"God has willed it so," repeated the baron. "But I must first learn for myself if you have truly drawn the sword. Can you put it back again?"
"I can try," said Arthur, and with an easy thrust he sunk the blade deeply into the stone.
Then Sir Hector and Kay pulled at the hilt with all their strength, but failed to move the weapon.
"Now you shall try," they said to Arthur.
Thereupon the youth seized the hilt, and with a light effort the magic sword came out naked in his hand.
"You are our king!" cried Sir Hector, kneeling on the earth, and Kay beside him.
"My dear father and brother," cried Arthur in surprise and distress, "why kneel you to me? Rise, I pray; it pains me deeply to see you thus."
[Illustration: STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK.]
"I am not your father nor of your kindred," rejoined the baron. "I must now reveal the secret I long have kept. You were brought to me in infancy, and I and my wife have fostered you as our own. But you are no son of mine. Who you truly are I cannot say; that only Merlin the magician knows. But well I feel assured you are of nobler blood than I can boast."
These words filled Arthur with heartfelt pain. He had long revered the worthy knight as his father, and it grieved him deeply to learn that those whom he had so warmly loved were not of kin to him.
"Sir," said Hector, "will you be my good and gracious lord when you are king?"
"You, my father, and your good lady, my mother,--to whom else in all the world am I so beholden?" rejoined Arthur, warmly. "God forbid that I should fail you in whatever you may desire, if by His will and grace I shall be made king."