Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/277

Rh "Does your Princely Grace wish war with the Order?"

"If I wished war, I should not wait for you in Mazovia, I should go to you; but do not threaten me, for I am not afraid."

"What am I to report to the Master?"

"Your Master has made no inquiry of me. Report what you like to him."

"Then we will measure out punishment and revenge ourselves."

The prince stretched out his arms and began to move his finger threateningly in the very face of the Knight of the Cross.

"Have a care!" said he, in a voice of suppressed anger. "Have a care; I have permitted you to challenge Yurand, but if you break into my country with troops of the Order, I will strike you and you will sit here, not as a guest, but a captive."

Evidently his patience was exhausted, for he threw his cap against the table with all his strength, went out of the room, and slammed the door behind him. The Knights of the Cross were pale from rage, and De Fourcy looked at them as if bewildered.

"What will happen now?" inquired Brother Rotgier.

But Danveld sprang almost with closed fists at De Fourcy.

"Why didst thou say that ye attacked Yurand first?"

"Because it is true!"

"There was need of a lie."

"I came here to fight, not to lie."

"Thou hast fought fiercely—there is no word on that score!"

"And hast thou not run away before Yurand to Schytno?"

"Pax, pax!" exclaimed Siegfried. "This knight is a guest of the Order."

"It is all one what he said," put in Brother Gottfried.

"They would not have punished Yurand without trial, and at a trial the affair would have been explained."

"What will happen now?" repeated Brother Rotgier.

A moment of silence followed.

"We must finish finally with that bloody cur!" said Siegfried, in a stern and resolute voice. "De Bregov must be freed from confinement. Let us assemble the garrisons from Schytno, Insburg, and Lubov. Let us summon the nobles of Helmno, and attack Yurand. It is time to put an end to him!"