"You lie!" exclaimed Macko.
Then the conversation began in an unfriendly and arrogant manner, which seemed like quarreling. But when Macko vehemently shouted that the very Order prevented Lithuania from embracing Christianity, and when all proofs were adduced, Arnold was again amazed and became silent, because the truth was so obvious that it was impossible not to see it, or to dispute it. What specially struck him was Macko's words which he uttered whilst making the sign of the cross: "Who knows whom ye actually serve, if not all at least some among you." It specially struck him because there were certain comthurs in the very Order who were suspected of having given themselves over to Satan. Steps were not taken against them for fear of public reproach of the whole Order. But Arnold knew it well because these things were whispered among the brethren of the Order and happenings of such a character reached his ears. Therefore, Macko's narrative which he had heard from Sanderus, concerning the inconceivable conduct of Zygfried, greatly disturbed the mind of the candid giant.
"Oh, that very Zygfried, with whom you marched to war," he said. "Does he serve Christ? Have you never heard how he communicates with evil spirits, how he whispers to them, smiles and gnashes his teeth at them?"
"It is true!" murmured Arnold.
But Zbyszko, whose heart was filled with new waves of grief and anger, suddenly exclaimed:
"And you, who speak of knightly honor? Shame upon you, because you help a hangman, a devilish man. Shame upon you, because you quietly looked upon the torture of a defenceless woman, and a knight's daughter. Maybe you also outraged her. Shame upon you!"
Arnold closed his eyes, and making the sign of the cross, said:
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost…. How is that?… That fettered girl in whose head dwell twenty-seven devils? I?…"
"Oh, horrible! horrible!" interrupted Zbyszko, groaning.
And, grasping the handle of his misericordia he again looked savagely toward the dark corner where Zygfried lay on his back.