Then there began a hurried conversation between the murderers: "Our servants did not see anything!" said Danveld, panting.
"No. The retinues are in front; we cannot see them," answered von Löve.
"Listen: we will have cause for a new complaint. We will publish the statement that the Mazowiecki knights fell upon us and killed our companion. We will shout aloud--they will hear us in Marienburg--that the prince sent murderers even after his guests. Listen! we must say that Janusz did not wish to listen to our complaints against Jurand, but that he ordered the accuser to be murdered."
In the meanwhile, de Fourcy turned in the last convulsion on his back and then remained motionless, with a bloody froth on his lips and with dread pictured in his widely-opened dead eyes. Brother Rotgier looked at him and said: "Notice, pious brothers, how God punishes even the thought of treachery."
"What we have done, was done for the good of the Order," answered Godfried. "Glory to those----"
But he stopped, because at that moment, behind them, at the turn of the snowy road, there appeared a horseman, who rushed forward as fast as his horse could go. Having perceived him, Hugo von Danveld quickly exclaimed: "Whoever this man is--he must die." And von Löve, who although the oldest among the brothers, had very keen eyesight, said: "I recognize him; it is that shield-bearer who killed the bison with an axe. Yes; it is he!"
"Hide your knives, so that he may not become frightened," said Danveld. "I will attack him first, you shall follow me."
In the meanwhile, the Bohemian arrived and reined in his horse at a distance of eight or ten steps. He noticed the corpse lying in the pool of blood, the horse without a rider, and astonishment appeared on his face; but it lasted only for the twinkling of an eye. After a while, he turned to the brothers as if nothing had happened and said: "I bow to you, brave knights!"
"We recognize you," answered Danveld, approaching slowly. "Have you anything for us?"
"The knight Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, after whom I carry the spear, sent me, because being injured by the bison, he could not come himself."
"What does your master wish from us?"
"My master commanded me to tell you that because you unrighteously accused Jurand of Spychow, to the detriment of his knightly honor, you did not act like honest knights, but howled like dogs; and if any one of you feels insulted by these words, he challenges him to a combat on horseback or on foot, to the last breath; he will be ready for the duel as soon as with God's help and mercy he is released from his present indisposition."