Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/499

Rh "He said this: 'I know that Danusia was in Schytno, but they have either killed her or removed her. Old Siegfried,' said he, 'did that, and as God be my aid I shall not rest henceforth till I put hand on him.'"

"Did he say that? Then it is certain that he has gone to the eastern boundaries, but there is war there at present."

"He knew that there was war, and therefore he went to Prince Vitold. He said that he should be able to accomplish something against the Knights of the Cross through Vitold more quickly than through the king even."

"To Prince Vitold!" cried Matsko, springing up.

Then he turned to Yagenka,—

"Seest thou what sense? Did I not say the same? I foretold as true as life that we should have to go to Vitold."

"Zbyshko had the hope," said Father Kaleb, "that Vitold would burst into Prussia and capture the castles there."

"If they give him time he will not fail," answered Matsko. "Well! praise God, we know at least where to look for Zbyshko."

"Then we must go at once," said Yagenka.

"Be quiet!" cried Matsko. "It is not proper for attendants to give counsel."

And he looked at her significantly, as if reminding her that she was an attendant, so she recollected herself, and was silent.

Matsko thought for a while, and then said,—

"We shall find Zbyshko certainly, for he is nowhere else, except at the side of Prince Vitold; but it will be necessary to know whether he has anything else to seek in the world besides those heads of the Knights of the Cross which he has vowed to get."

"And how can that be known?" asked Father Kaleb.

"If I knew that that priest of Schytno had returned from the council I should like to see him. I have letters from Lichtenstein and can go with perfect safety."

"That was no council, it was only a meeting," said Father Kaleb, "and the priest must have returned long ago."

"That is well. Leave the rest to my head; I will take Hlava, two attendants with war horses, and go."

"And then to Zbyshko?" inquired Yagenka.

"And then to Zbyshko; but meanwhile thou wilt wait