Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/415

Rh "Yes!" said the prince, "as we have learned from Rotgier, of those four only old Siegfried is alive; God has punished the others already, either with thy hand or Yurand's. As to Siegfried, he is less a scoundrel than the others, but is perhaps more cruel. It is unfortunate that Yurand and Danusia are in his power; there is need of swift rescue in their case. But lest an evil fate befall thee I will give a letter to the Grand Master. Only listen well, and understand that thou art not going as an envoy, but a confidant, and I will write to the Grand Master as follows: Since on a time they attacked us, the descendants of their benefactors, it is likely that they seized Yurand's daughter for the reason specially that they were angry at Yurand. I will ask the Grand Master to command a diligent search for her, and if he desires my friendship to deliver her into thy hands immediately."

On hearing this Zbyshko cast himself at the feet of the prince, embraced his knees, and said,—

"But Yurand, Gracious Lord, what of Yurand? Take his part too! If he be wounded mortally, let him die in his own house at least, and near his children."

"There is something touching Yurand also," replied the prince with kindliness. "The Grand Master is to send two judges and I two, who will judge the comtur's acts and those of Yurand according to the rules of knightly honor. And those four will choose a fifth to be their head, and as all decide so will it be."

The consultation ended there. Zbyshko took farewell now of the prince, for they were to start upon the road immediately. But before parting Mikolai, who was experienced and knew the Knights of the Cross, took Zbyshko aside and asked,—

"But that young man, the Cheh, wilt thou take him with thee among the Germans?"

"It is sure that he will not leave me. But why the question?"

"I am sorry for him. He is a splendid fellow, and do thou note what I say: thou wilt bring away a sound head from Malborg unless thou meet a better man in a duel, but Hlava's death is certain."

"Why?"

"Because the dog brothers complained that he stabbed De Fourcy. They must have written of his death to the Grand Master, and to a certainty they wrote that the Cheh