Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/351

Rh Sanderus, She has come evidently to spy, and she knows surely where the young lady is."

"And we shall know," said Zbyshko. "Dost thou recognize the pilgrim too?"

"No," replied Sanderus. "But buy no indulgences from that man; for he is a false pilgrim. If he were put to torture, one might learn much from him."

"Wait," answered Zbyshko.

"Barely had the door of the corner room closed behind Zbyshko and the priest, when the woman pushed up quickly to Yurand, and whispered,—

"Bandits carried off your daughter."

"Bandits with crosses on their mantles?"

"No. But God blessed the pious brothers; so they rescued her, and now she is in their possession."

"Where is she?" I ask.

"She is under the protection of the pious brother, Schaumberg," answered the woman, crossing her hands on her breast and bowing with humility.

Yurand, when he heard the terrible name of the executioner of Vitold's children, grew as pale as linen. After a while he sat on a bench, closed his eyes, and began to wipe away the cold sweat which was in drops on his forehead.

Seeing this, the pilgrim, though unable just before to restrain his terror, put his hand on his hip, threw himself on a bench, stretched out his feet, and looked at Yurand with eyes full of pride and contempt. A long silence followed.

"Brother Markwart helps Brother Schaumberg to care for her," said the woman. "It is a diligent attention, and no harm will happen to the young lady."

"What am I to do to induce them to give her up to me?" asked Yurand.

"To become humble before the Order," answered the pilgrim, with pride.

Hearing this, Yurand rose, went to the man, and, bending over him, said, with a restrained and terrible voice,—

"Silence!"

The pilgrim was frightened again. He knew that he might threaten and might say something which would restrain and break Yurand, but he was afraid that before he could utter the word something terrible might happen him; so he was as silent, and turned on the terrible face of the master of