use,
although we give Furstenberg the go-by on this occasion, I shall pay my
respects to Herman von Katznellenbogenstahleck on my return, and the
knowledge you bring me will prove useful."

"Ha!" cried Greusel, "here are our infants returning, all in a body,
Kurzbold at their head as usual. I imagine this morning they are going
to depend on rhetoric, and allow their swords to remain in scabbard.
They have evidently come to some momentous decision."

The three retired to the prow of the boat as the guild clambored on at
the stern. The captain and two of his men had taken the skiff belonging
to the barge, and were absent at Lorch, purchasing provisions. Roland
stood at the prow of the barge, slightly in advance of his two
lieutenants, and awaited the approach of Kurzbold, with seventeen men
behind him.

"Commander," said the spokesman, with nothing of the late truculence in
his tone, "we have just held a meeting of the guild, and unanimously
agreed to ask you one question, and offer you one suggestion."

"I shall be pleased," replied Roland, "to answer the first if I think it
desirable, and take the second into consideration."

He inclined his head to the delegation, and received a low bow in
return. This was a most auspicious beginning, showing a certain
improvement of method on the part of the majority.

"The question is, Commander, what have you done with the gold we
captured yesterday?"

"A very proper inquiry," replied Roland, "that it gives me much pleasure
to answer. I have placed the money in a custody which I believe to be
absolute, arranging that if nothing happens to me, this money shall be
properly divided in my presence."

"Do you deny, sir, that the money belongs to us?"

"Part of it undoubtedly does, but I, as leader of the expedition, am
morally, if not legally, responsible to you all for its safe keeping.
Our barge has stopped three times so far, and Captain Blumenfels tells
me that he has had no real violence to complain of, but as we progress
farther down the river, we are bound to encounter some Baron who is not
so punctilious; for instance, the Margrave von Katznellenbogenstahleck,
whose stronghold you doubtless saw from the latest meeting-place of the
guild. Such a man as the Margrave is certain to do what you yourselves
did without hesitation last night, that is, break open the lockers, and
if gold were there you may depend it would not long remain in our
possession after the discovery."