be, will certainly approach.” Slowly, reluctantly, and still taking all possible observations, the strangers marched under guard to the apartments originally assigned to them.
The occurence being at once reported to Lord Zawis, the three members of the Order of Jesus Christ appeared before their indignant host soon after dawn. “Depart at once from these premises,” commanded Zawis. “Every principle of knighthood, hospitality and honor, you have violated. I grieve to find the sacred name of Jesus Christ associated with such dark treachery.” “Is there no grace for needed refreshment?” replied Brother Primus. “The dungeon or the highway is your only choice,” exclaimed Zawis. “Begone!” A strong guard immediately conducted the prisoners to the outer gate. Resting at a short distance, the strangers viewed the fortress, pointing out the chief features to each other. Slowly they departed towards Moravia. A brief inquiry revealed the fact that abundant provisions had been furnished to them by some person in the castle whose name remained concealed.
The first meal over, a kind of family council of war assembled. The menacing aspect of affairs, the desolation of the kingdom, the appalling ruin impending, created the most grave apprehension. “Our first care must be to provision our fortress,” declared Zawis. “The fugitives have not wholly ceased to reach us. Our numbers are unusual, and we know not how soon we may receive a visit from our recent guests under other and more avowed conditions. On
