“Whence come you?” he asked more civilly.
“From Budissin,” said I.
The musket instantly went up again, and its bearer retreated hastily a couple of paces.
“‘Tis against orders,” he said, “because of the sickness; no one from Budissin may pass the gates.”
The sickness again! I had, then, by my impetuosity, my haste to follow in her traces, but raised a new barrier between us.
I dismounted, threw my reins to János, and advanced upon the soldier.
“But, friend,” said I——
The fellow covered me with his weapon.
“Stand!” he cried roughly; “stand, or I fire!”