Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/282

258 "That means that I think the same as you do. Her father is an enemy of the Order, but with the daughter you have spoken words rubbed with honey, and have promised her a balsam, besides."

Apparently Hugo von Danveld felt the need of justifying himself in some words before Siegfried, who, though not better than others, still observed strict rules of morality, and therefore had criticised certain brothers more than once.

"I have promised her a balsam," said he, "for that young knight who was crushed by the bull, and to whom she is betrothed, as you know. Should there be an outcry after we have seized the girl, we shall say that not only have we wished no harm, but we have sent them a cure according to Christian charity."

"Very well," replied Siegfried. "But we must send some safe person."

"I will send a pious woman completely devoted to the Order. I will command her to observe, and to listen. When our people go, as if sent by Yurand, they will find everything ready."

"It will be difficult to bring such people together."

"No. We have men who speak the same language that they do. We have them even among servants and the garrison,—men who are outlawed from Mazovia, fugitives, murderers, criminals, it is true, but fearless, and ready for anything. I shall promise them every reward if they do the work; if they fail, the halter."

"Very well! But in case of treason?"

"There will be no treason, for every man of them has earned impalement on the stake, and upon each one a sentence is hanging. We only need to give them proper clothing and they will pass for real servants of Yurand, but the main thing is a letter with Yurand's seal."

"We must foresee everything," said Rotgier. "After the last battle Yurand will wish to see the prince, perhaps, so as to complain of us, and justify himself. Being in Tsehanov he will go to his daughter in the forest. It may happen that our men appearing on Yurand's business will meet Yurand himself."

"The men whom I shall select are cunning ruffians. They know that if they strike Yurand they will go to the hook. Their lives will depend on not meeting him."

"Still, should it happen them to be captured?"