"Another foolish speech!"
"Yes, for the man is foolish, madame."
"And they cry to you, 'Where is the girl?' And you do not answer, but die under a foul charge!"
To this Christian Hantz made no answer at all, unless it were one to murmur mournfully:
"And, madame, they have taken from me the red skirt and——"
The Princess Osra suddenly turned from him, and went to the King, who had stood regarding her; and she knelt down before him, saying:
"Sire and dear brother, pardon this man. He did but shelter his friend, and he will rob no more."
"I might forgive him his robberies, if he would take service in my army."
"Yes, in my regiment of Guards!" she cried.
"But how shall I forgive that foul murder, of which he is certainly guilty? For where, sister, is the pretty girl, of whom no traces can be found saving her dress, her red skirt, and——?"