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Yurand found himself in the courtyard of the castle he knew not whither to go, for the servitor, who had conducted him through the gateway, left him and went toward the stables. At the wall stood men at arms, it is true, some singly, some in small groups, but their faces were so insolent and their glances so jeering that the knight could divine easily that they would not show him the way, and that were they to answer his question they would do so contemptuously or with rudeness. Some laughed and pointed their fingers at him, others began to throw snow, as on the day previous. But he, noting a door larger than others, over which Christ on the Cross was carved in stone, made toward it, thinking that if the comtur and officers were in another part of the castle, or in other chambers, some one would in every case have to turn him from the mistaken way.

And that was what happened. At the moment when Yurand was approaching the door the two halves of it opened suddenly, and a youth stood before him tonsured like a cleric, but wearing the dress of a layman.

"Are you Pan Yurand of Spyhov? " inquired he.

"I am."

"The pious comtur has commanded me to conduct you. Follow me."

And he led on through a great arched entrance-chamber toward a stairway. At the steps, however, he halted, and casting his eyes on Yurand inquired,—

"Have you weapons on your person? They have ordered me to search you."

Yurand raised both arms so that the guide might see his whole body clearly, and answered,—

"Yesterday I surrendered all."

Thereupon the guide lowered his voice and said almost in a whisper,—

"Guard against breaking into anger, for you are under power, and power which is superior."