"
"This is very interesting, Ebearhard, and an excellent feat of scouting
must be set down to your credit. Say nothing to the men, because,
although we give Furstenberg the go-by on this occasion, I shall pay my
respects to Herman von Katznellenbogenstahleck on my return, and the
knowledge you bring me will prove useful."
"Ha!" cried Greusel, "here are our infants returning, all in a body,
Kurzbold at their head as usual. I imagine this morning they are going
to depend on rhetoric, and allow their swords to remain in scabbard.
They have evidently come to some momentous decision."
The three retired to the prow of the boat as the guild clambored on at
the stern. The captain and two of his men had taken the skiff belonging
to the barge, and were absent at Lorch, purchasing provisions. Roland
stood at the prow of the barge, slightly in advance of his two
lieutenants, and awaited the approach of Kurzbold, with seventeen men
behind him.
"Commander," said the spokesman, with nothing of the late truculence in
his tone, "we have just held a meeting of the guild, and unanimously
agreed to ask you one question, and offer you one suggestion.
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