Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/429

Rh whole Order. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit: thou hast defended the wrong, thou hast died for injustice, without absolution—and maybe thy soul—"

The words broke in his mouth, his lips began to quiver, and in the chapel deep silence set in a second time.

"O son! O son!"

In Siegfried's words there was entreaty now, and at the same time he called in a still lower voice, as do people who are making inquiry touching some awful and terrible secret,—

"O merciful Christ! If thou art not damned, my son, give a sign, move thy hand, or open thy eyes for one instant, the heart is whining within my old bosom. Give a sign; I loved thee—speak!"

And resting his hands on the edge of the coffin he fixed his vulture-like eyes on Eotgier's closed lids.

"Oh, how couldst thou speak!" said he finally; "cold and the odor of death issues forth from thee. But since thou art silent I will tell thee something, and let thy soul fly hither between the burning candles and listen."

Then he bent to the face of the corpse.

"Thou rememberest how the chaplain would not let us kill Yurand, and how we gave an oath to him. That is well; I will keep the oath, but I will comfort thee wherever thou art, though I be damned myself for it."

Then he withdrew from the coffin, put back the candlesticks which he had set aside, covered the body and the face with the mantle, and went forth from the chapel.

At the door of his chamber the wearied boy slept a deep sleep. Diedrich was waiting according to Siegfried's command. He was a short, strong man with bow-legs, and a square face which was partly concealed by a dark, jagged cowl which dropped to his shoulders. He wore a kaftan made from untanned hide of buffalo; above his hips was a belt of the same hide; behind this a bunch of keys and a short knife were thrust. In his right hand he held an iron lantern with membrane; in his left hand was a small brass kettle and a taper.

"Art ready?" inquired Siegfried.

Diedrich inclined in silence.

"I commanded thee to have coals in the kettle."

A second time the strong man made no answer; he merely pointed to sticks blazing in the chimney, took an iron shovel which was standing at the side of the chimney, and