Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/286

262 "Of what are you inquiring? Of what we shall do with her before or after?"

De Fourcy, knowing now what he wanted, was silent; for a while he seemed to struggle with himself, then rising in his stirrups somewhat, he said so loudly that all four Knights of the Cross heard him,—

"The pious Brother Ulrich of Jungingen, a model and ornament of chivalry, said once to me: 'Among the old men in Malborg thou wilt still find worthy brothers of the Cross; but those in the boundary districts bring naught save reproach to the Order.

"We are all sinners; but we serve the Saviour," said Danveld.

"Where is your knightly honor? The Saviour is not served by infamous actions. Know, then, that not only will I take no part in this action, but I will not permit you to do so."

"Why will you not permit?"

"To permit deceitful attack, treason, infamy?"

"But how are you going to prevent? In the battle with Yurand you lost your escort and your wagons. You must live by the favor of the Order; you would die of hunger should we be unwilling to throw a piece of bread to you. Besides, are we not four here while you are one? How will you prevent?"

"How will I prevent?" repeated De Fourcy. "I can return to the house and forewarn the prince; I can announce your intention before the whole world."

At this the Knights of the Cross looked at one another, and their faces changed in the twinkle of an eye. Especially did Danveld look for a time with an inquiring glance into the eyes of Siegfried; then he turned to De Fourcy.

"Your ancestors," said he, "served in the Order, and you wish to enter it; but we will not receive traitors."

"In answer to that I say that I will not serve traitors."

"Ho! you will not carry out your threat. Understand this, that the Order knows how to punish not merely brothers of the Cross."

De Fourcy, roused by these words, drew his sword; he seized its edge with his left hand, his right hand he placed on the hilt, and said,—

"On this hilt, which has the form of a cross, on the head of Saint Dionysius, my patron, and on my knightly honor, I shall warn the Prince of Mazovia and the Grand Master."