CHAPTER V.The prince was the first to take the floor at the consultation and spoke as follows:
“It is bad that we have no writing nor testimony against the counts. Although our suspicions may be justified, and I myself think that they and nobody else captured Jurand’s daughter, still what of it? They will deny it. And if the grand master asks for proofs, what shall I show him? Bah! even Jurand’s letter speaks in their favor.”
Here he turned to Zbyszko:
“You say that they forced this letter from him with threats. It is possible, and undoubtedly it is so, because if justice were on their side, God would not have helped you against Rotgier. But since they extorted one, then they could extort also two. And perhaps they have evidence from Jurand, that they are not guilty of the capture of th
