Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/417

Rh Thou wilt not stand above me, of course, like a headsman above an innocent person! And as to fighting, how art thou to assist me? I will not say in war, for in war people fight together, but in a duel thou wilt not fight for me. If Rotgier had been the stronger his armor would not be on our wagon, but mine on his. And know besides that it will be worse for me there with thy company; thou mayst put me in danger."

"How so, your Grace?"

Zbyshko told how he had heard from Mikolai that the comturs, unable to acknowledge the murder of De Fourcy, had accused Hlava, and would pursue him vindictively.

"If they seize thee," said Zbyshko at last, "I shall of course not leave thee to them as to dogs, and for this cause I may lay down my own head."

The Cheh became gloomy on hearing these words, for he recognized truth in them; still he tried further to turn the affair according to his wishes.

"Those men who saw me are no longer in this world, for people say that the old master of Spyhov killed some, and your grace has slain Rotgier."

"Thou wert seen by attendants who dragged on at some distance in front, and Siegfried, that old Knight of the Cross, is still living and is surely in Malborg; or if he is not there he will go there, for the Grand Master will certainly summon him."

There was no answer to this, so they rode on in silence as far as Spyhov. They found perfect readiness for war in the castle, since old Tolima expected that either the Knights of the Cross would make an attack, or that Zbyshko would summon them forth to save the old master. The guards watched everywhere at passages through the swamp; they watched in the castle also. The people were armed; and, as war was nothing new to them, they waited for the Germans with willingness, promising themselves famous booty. Father Kaleb received Zbyshko and De Lorche, and immediately after supper showed them the parchment with Yurand's seal, on which parchment he himself had written the last will of the master of Spyhov.

"He dictated it to me," said the priest, "that night when he started for Schytno. Well—he did not expect to return."

"Why did you say nothing?"

"I said nothing because he declared under the secret of confession what he intended to do. The Lord grant him endless rest, and let eternal light shine on him."