He determined however to find out more from the Order’s servant.
“The knights wish secrecy,” he said, “but how can it be kept, when I release von Bergow and the others in return for my child?”
“You will say that you accepted ransom for von Bergow in order to be able to pay the robbers.”
“People will not believe it, because I never accepted ransom,” gloomily replied Jurand.
“But your child was never in question,” hissed the messenger in reply.
And again silence followed, after which the pontnik, who, in the meanwhile had gained courage, and judged that Jurand must now restrain himself more, said:
“Such is the will of the brethren Shomberg and Markward.”
The messenger continued:
“You will say, that this pontnik who came with me, brought you the ransom, we also will leave here with th
