My guide dashed away, and was lost in the darkness, and I should have got clear but for one of the hussars, who flung himself right across my path.
Down I went with a crash, and though rising quickly, a smart blow on the head behind sent me sprawling, and the next instant I was in the midst of the angry crowd.
CHAPTER XXV.
IMPRISONED AT ARAD.
Von Theyer met me at the inn door, but he was busy giving orders that a detachment of troops should mount and scour the district.
Candles and flaring torches burned in the kitchen, and by their light I saw three men, all badly wounded, lying side by side.
At the farther end of the apartment lay Ober, and the hussars pulled and hustled me towards his body.
Poor fellow! He was quite dead, and close by I saw the keen blade, now stained with blood, that had slain him.
His comrades uttered loud threats of vengeance, and one man, pressing the muzzle of his pistol against my forehead, swore he would shoot me.
Another pulled him back, saying he might safely leave me to the colonel, who would not fail to avenge the dead hussar.