Jurand's face exhibited great alarm. At the first moment it seemed to him quite natural that the knights required secrecy, fearing responsibility and disgrace, but now a suspicion arose in his mind that there might be another reason, but, not being able to account for it, he was seized with such terror as sometimes happens to the most courageous when danger does not threaten them alone, but also their relatives and loved ones.
He determined however to find out more from the Order's servant.
"The knights wish secrecy," he said, "but how can it be kept, when I release von Bergow and the others in return for my child?"
"You will say that you accepted ransom for von Bergow in order to be able to pay the robbers."
"People will not believe it, because I never accepted ransom," gloomily replied Jurand.
"But your child was never in question," hissed the messenger in reply.
And again silence followed, after which the pontnik, who, in the meanwhile had gained courage, and judged that Jurand must now restrain himself more, said:
"Such is the will of the brethren Shomberg and Markward."
The messenger continued:
"You will say, that this pontnik who came with me, brought you the ransom, we also will leave here with the noble von Bergow and the prisoners."