"I shall be ready in five minutes," he said; "and I shall ride as if my life were at stake."
A few minutes after, he rode swiftly out of the yard. Waldemar, who gazed after him, breathed more freely. "This was the only resource left me," he thought. "Paul may yet overtake my brother, and save him from almost certain death."
Four, five hours passed, bringing no tidings of Leo. Communication--usually so frequent between the frontier and Villica, which was on the direct route to L----, seemed broken off to-day. Waldemar paced his room restlessly, trying to take Paul's long absence as a good omen. He must surely have overtaken Leo, and would remain at his side as far as the boundary. Perhaps both were concealed in the forester's house. At last--it was late in the afternoon--the superintendent entered hastily and unannounced.
"Herr Nordeck, will you come out into the court?" he said; "your presence is very necessary."
"What is the matter?" asked Waldemar. "Has anything happened to the wounded men?"
"O, no," returned Frank; "but I wish you to come yourself. We have tidings from the frontier; a desperate battle was fought at W---- this morning with Count Morynski's corps."
"And how has it resulted?" asked Waldemar, breathlessly.
"The insurgents are defeated, and it is said that they owe this result either to treason or to an unexpected attack. They defended themselves bravely, but were compelled to yield to superior forces. The survivors are scattered, and have fled in every direction."
"And the leader, Count Morynski?"
The superintendent cast down his eyes, and was silent.