Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/435

Rh two black dogs were playing, pulling some cloth from each other; except them the court was empty and silent.

"Then to-night absolutely," said Siegfried. "I am wearied beyond measure, but I will go—all are sleeping. Yurand conquered by torture sleeps also, perhaps, but I shall not sleep. I will go, I will go, for death is in my chamber, and I have promised thee—let death come after that, since sleep is not to come. Thou art smiling there; but strength fails me. Thou art smiling; it is evident then that thou art pleased. But thou seest my lingers have grown numb, strength has left my hand, I cannot finish that alone—the servant woman who sleeps with her will finish it—"

While speaking thus he went on with heavy step toward the tower which stood at the gate. Meanwhile the dogs which were playing at the stone well ran up and began to fawn around him. In one of them Siegfried recognized the mastiff which was an inseparable comrade of Diedrich; people said in the castle that the dog served the man at night for a pillow.

After greeting the comtur, the mastiff gave a low bark once or twice, then bounded toward the gate as if divining Siegfried's thought.

Soon the comtur found himself before the narrow door of the tower, which at night was bolted from the outside. Pushing back the bolt he felt for the stairway railing, which began right there inside the door, and ascended. He had forgotten his lantern through mental distraction; he felt his way, stepping carefully, and searched for the steps with his feet.

On a sudden, after some advance, he halted, for higher up, but straight above, he heard something like the panting of a man, or a beast.

"Who is there?"

No answer was given, but the panting grew more rapid.

Siegfried was fearless; he had no dread of death, but his courage and self-command were exhausted to the last on that night of terror. Through his brain flashed the thought that Rotgier, or perhaps the evil spirit, was barring the way to him. The hair rose on his head, and his forehead was covered with cold perspiration. He withdrew almost to the very entrance.

"Who is there?" inquired he, with a choked voice.

But that moment something struck him in the breast with such terrible force that he fell backward through the open door without uttering a syllable.