“Alone now—thanks to your grace, for the wolves have been round me for six hours.”
“What is your name? Where do you come from? Whither do you wish to go?”
“My name is Odowalsky; I come from Vienna; and I shall go to hell, if I don’t get help.”
“Will you go with us?”
“Yes, as sure as I live! With anybody, if only I can live. I have lost my arm; I was given a house; they burnt it, and threw me out on the highway—with wife and child, of course!”
“Listen; do you know the way to Prague?”
“I can find the way to Prague, to the Hradschin and the Imperial treasure-house, Wallenstein’s palace, the royal castle, Wallenstein’s dancing-hall, and the Loretto Convent. There there is multum plus Plurimum.”
“What is your rank in the army?”
“First Lieutenant.”
“That is something different. Come with me, and you shall have a horse, Mr. First Lieutenant, and then let us see what you are good for.”