"Have no difficulty with those people," he cried; "I will pay what they ask!"
"No! you shall not," said the Count. "This robbery of travellers, in the name of the Emperor, is a crime which must not go unpunished. Leave me; it is a meritorious action to chastise such scoundrels!"
All at once Herman appeared; he had overheard the quarrel, and now came to give assistance to his men.
Erwin lowered his visor, for the prefect knew him, and the young man wished to be positive of his complicity.
"What is the matter?" asked Herman.
"It is fortunate that you are here, my lord," replied Dietho. "This young man has been threatening to use his sword against us because we would not allow his whole party to cross for twelve paltry pennies."
"For twelve pennies!--You and your retinue!--You could not have seriously thought it," said Herman to the Count.
"Twelve pennies are just the legal tax, for we are but nine persons in all."
"Ah!" said the prefect; "perhaps you mean to teach me my duty, and what I have the right to ask?"
"The law has fixed the tariff sufficiently."