However, an idea struck him, and suddenly halting before the pontnik, he gazed at him with a piercing look, and then turned to the messenger and said;
“Well, I will go to Szczytno. You and this man, who is wearing pontnikgarb, will remain here until my return, after which you will leave with von Bergow and the prisoners.”
“Do you refuse, sir, to believe friars.” said the pontnik; “how then can they trust you to liberate us and von Bergow on your return?”
Jurand’s face turned pale with fury, and a critical moment followed, in which it almost seemed that he would catch the pontnik by the throat and dash him to the floor; but he suppressed his anger, drew a deep breath and commenced to speak slowly but emphatically.
“Whoever you are, do not strain my patience to the breaking point!”
But
