The knight now carried his arm in a sling. In the centre of his coat of mail and on the shoulder-pieces of his armor, the ensigns armorial of a noble family were embossed.
"You were dragged out from under your horse," said the Eletto to the knight. "You wield an excellent blade."
He had spoken in Spanish, but the other shrugged his shoulders, and answered in the German language "I don't understand Spanish."
"Are you a German?" Ulrich now asked in his native tongue. "How do you happen to be among the Netherland rebels?"
The nobleman looked at the Eletto in surprise. But the latter, giving him no time for reflection, continued "I understand German; your answer?"
"I had business in Antwerp?"
"What business?"
"That is my affair."
"Very well. Then we will drop courtesy and adopt a different tone."
"Nay, I am the vanquished party, and will answer you."