order.” “You are welcome, Sir Knight,” replied Lord Zawis. “I know of no heretics in Bohemia, except those who conspire against the ancient laws and constitutional independence of our country. From your profession of faith, you will, of necessity, aid in repelling foreign aggression on our walls, and obey, like good knights, the orders of the highest authority of the fortress.” ‘We will obey such orders as are conformable to our specific duties, and none other,” replied the spokesman. “I am entitled to know your name and rank,” said Lord Zawis, “and those of your companions.” “My name in knighthood is Brother Primus,” replied the stranger, “and my companions are named Brother Secundus, and Brother Tertius. We claim no preéminence but such as more success in uprooting heresy may confer.” At this point Lord Witek arrived, and after brief conference with him Lord Zawis said: “My brother will assign you quarters; and if you are not perfectly content therewith, and further, if you do not exhibit to my satisfaction the soldierly subordination that your professed knighthood requires, and demean yourselves as true men, you shall receive more than liberty to retire whither you will.”
Perplexed by the apparition of these strangers, Lord Zawis retired to his own apartments for reflection. “Would I had good Lord Boppo here,” he exclaimed in a low tone. “These intruders bode us no good, and Lord Boppo is fully advised of their probable character. I had not heard of the Order of Jesus Christ, and I surmise it is one of those new
