"Count, I was wrong; you were right. These fellows are dangerous."
"I will fight you on any terms!" I fired back at him.
"I shall send you one of my lackeys," he replied. "Take them away, and
shoot them if they resist."
"Liberate the gentlemen," said Gretchen.
The Count gazed at her in amazement.
"Liberate them?" he cried.
"I command it."
"You?" said the Prince.
"Yes. This is my principality; these are my soldiers; I command here."
This was a coup indeed.
"But we represent his Majesty!" cried the Count, still holding me by
the throat. I was all but strangled myself.
"I care not whom you represent," said Gretchen. "I am obedient only to
the King, not his minions. Release the gentlemen."
The Count's arm slowly unwound. Hillars pressed down the sabre points
with his hands and shook off the hand of one of the cavalrymen.
"If it be Your Highness' will," he said, "we will throw these intruders
into the road. Might is right," waving his hand to the door which led
to the barroom.
The innkeeper and three others filed into the room, grimly and
silently. They were armed.
For the first time the Prince lost patience.
"This is all very well, Your Highness," he sneered. "You misunderstand
the limits of your power to command."
"Not in any part," said Gretchen. "I am sovereign here,
notwithstanding the King's will is paramount to my own. These people
are my people; these soldiers are fed of my bounty; this is my country
till the King takes it back. You will act further at your peril."