posely delaying, so that you cannot cross over
this afternoon?"

"'Tis very likely," said Roland. "I'll wait here until the sun sets, and
then when they realize that I am about to leave them on an uninhabited
island, without anything to eat, I think you will see them scramble
aboard."

"But suppose they don't," suggested Greusel. "There are at least three
of them able to swim across this narrow branch of the Rhine, and engage
a boatman to take them off, should their signaling be unobserved."

"Again no matter. My plan for the undoing of the castles does not depend
on force, but on craft. We three cannot carry away as much gold as can
twenty-one, but our shares will be the same, and then we are not likely
to find again so full a treasury as that at Rheinstein. My belief that
these chaps would fight was dispelled by their conduct last night. Think
of eighteen armed men flying before one sword!"

"Ah, you are scarce just in your estimate, Commander. They were under
the influence of wine."

"True; but a brave man will fight, drunk or sober."

Although the sun sank out of sight, the men did not return. There had
been more wine in the cask than Roland supposed, for the cheery songs of
the guild echoed through the sylvan solitude. Roland told the captain to
set his men at work and row round the top of the island into the main
stream of the Rhine. The revelers had evidently appointed watchmen, for
they speedily came running through the woods, and followed the movements
of the boat from the shore, keeping pace with it. When the craft reached
the opposite side of the island, the rowers drew in to the beach.

"Are you coming aboard?" asked Roland pleasantly.

"Will you agree to pass Furstenberg during the night?" demanded
Kurzbold.

"No."

"Do you expect to succeed, as you did with the other castles?"

"Certainly; otherwise I shouldn't make the attempt."

"I was wrong," said Kurzbold mildly, "in substituting the word 'command'
for 'suggestion,' which I first employed. There are many grave reasons
for deferring an attempt on Furstenberg. In the heat of argument these
reasons were not presented to you. Will you consent to listen to them if
we go on board?"

"Yes; if you, on your part, will unanimously promise to abide by my
decision."

"Do you think," said Kurzbold, "that your prejudice against me, which
perhaps you agree does exist--"

"It exists," confessed Roland.

"Very well. Will you allow that prejudice to