Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/335

Rh pain and sorrow, but he did not lose hope; for it seemed to him that he and the terrible Knight could do anything, and that they might attack even all the power of the Order.

In the room, besides Yurand, the priest, and the princess, he found Prince Yanush, De Lorche, and Pan Mikolai, whom the prince, when he had learned of the affair, summoned also to counsel; and he did so because of the old man's sound sense and perfect knowledge of the Knights, among whom he had passed long years in captivity.

"We should begin prudently; avoid mistakes caused through anger, and not ruin the girl," said Pan Mikolai. "We should complain at once to the Grand Master, and if your Princely Grace gives me a letter, I will deliver it."

"I will give the letter, and you will go with it," answered the prince. "We will not let the girl perish, so help me God and the holy cross! The Grand Master fears war with the King of Poland, and for him it is important to win over my brother and me. You may be sure that she was not carried off at his command—and he will order that she be delivered to us."

"But if it was at his command?" asked the priest.

"Though he is a Knight of the Cross, there is more honor in him than in others," answered the prince, "and as I have said to you, he would prefer at present to please rather than anger me. Oh, they put tallow into our skins as long as they were able, but now they understand that if we Mazovians help Yagello, it will go ill with them."

"True," said Pan Mikolai. "The Knights of the Cross do nothing without a reason; so I conclude that if they have carried off the girl, they have done so only to knock the sword from Yurand's hand, or get a ransom, or exchange her."

Here he turned to the lord of Spyhov.

"Whom have you among prisoners?"

"De Bergov," answered Yurand.

"Is he a considerable person?"

"Evidently a man of distinction."

De Lorche hearing the question inquired about him, and when he learned what the question was, said,—

"He is a relative of the Count of Guelders, a great benefactor of the Order, and of a family which has served it."

"That is true," said Pan Mikolai, after he had interpreted