"Make for the eastern bank, captain," whispered Roland, "and keep a
lookout ahead for a number of small boats like this."
Presently, rowing up the river strenuously, close to the shore, the
barge came upon the flotilla. Here Roland bade Hilda remain where she
was, and leaving Ebearhard in charge of the skiff, he clambered up on
the barge, ordering Greusel to range his boats alongside and fling
aboard the treasure.
"Well, captain, did his Excellency of Pfalz leave you anything at all?"
"Not a rag," replied the captain. "The barge is empty as a drum."
"In that case there is nothing for it but a speedy return to Frankfort.
I do not regret the cloth, which has been paid for over and over again,
but I am mercenary enough to grudge Stahleck our two barrels of gold."
"Oh, as to the gold," replied the captain gravely, "I took the liberty
of reversing your plan at Lorch."
"What plan?"
"Your honor poured gold into wine barrels, but I poured the red wine of
Lorch into the gold barrels, and threw the empty cask overboard.
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