Indeed, rumor had it that the robberies from certain
castles on the Rhine, and the burning of Furstenberg, were the work of
these free companies, consequently a sense of uneasiness permeated the
Empire, whose rulers, great and small, began to foresee that a
continuance of this state of things meant disaster to the rich as well
as misery to the poor. Charity, spasmodic and unorganized, proved wholly
unable to cope with the disaster that had befallen the capital city.
When darkness set in on the third night after Roland's return to
Frankfort, he made his way out into the unlighted streets, acting with
caution until certain he was not followed, then betook himself to the
Palace belonging to the Archbishop of Cologne.
The porter at first refused him entrance, and Roland, not wishing to
make himself known, declared he had an appointment with his Lordship.
Trusting that the underling could not read, he presented his parchment
safe-conduct, asking him to give that to his Lordship, with a message
that the bearer awaited his pleasure.
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