"It is true," said Jurand, "that bandits have captured my child, and that I have to buy her back from bandits...."
"You shall tell nobody otherwise, because if only one person should find out that you come to terms with the brethren, if only one living soul or only one complaint were sent to the master, or the assembly, great complications would ensue."
Jurand's face exhibited great alarm. At the first moment it seemed to him quite natural that the knights required secrecy, fearing responsibility and disgrace, but now a suspicion arose in his mind that there might be another reason, but, not being able to account for it, he was seized with such terror as sometimes happens to the most courageous when danger does not threaten them alone, but also their relatives and loved ones.
He determined however to find out more from the Order's servant.
"The knights wish secrecy," he said, "but how can it be kept, when I release von Bergow and the others in return for my child?"
"You will say that you accepted ransom for von Bergow in order to be able to pay the robbers."
"People will not believe it, because I never accepted ransom," gloomily replied Jurand.
"But your child was never in question," hissed the messenger in reply.
And again silence followed, after which the pontnik, who, in the meanwhile had gained courage, and judged that Jurand must now restrain himself more, said: "Such is the will of the brethren Shomberg and Markward."
The messenger continued: "You will say, that this pontnik who came with me, brought you the ransom, we also will leave here with the noble von Bergow and the prisoners."
"How so?" said Jurand, frowning, "do you think that I will give up the prisoners before you return my child?"
"You can act, sir, still differently. You can call personally for your daughter at Szczytno, whither the brethren will bring her to you."
"I? at Szczytno?"
"Because, should the bandits capture her again on the way, your and your people's suspicion would again fall upon the pious knights, and therefore they prefer to give her into your own hands."
"And who will pledge himself for my return, if I walk alone into a wolf's throat?"
"The virtue of the brethren, their justice and godliness!"
Jurand began to walk up and down the room. He began to suspect treason and feared it, but he felt at the same time that the Teutons could impose any conditions they pleased upon him, and that he was powerless before them.