"As I said: first to choose between complying with my demands and facing a public trial for treason at Urach."
"What are your excellency's demands?"
"First make your choice."
"Your excellency will guarantee my safety if I comply?"
"I cannot answer for that; but I will do what I can."
The man's face gave signs of a final mental struggle; then he said:
"I will do as your excellency wishes."
"A wise choice: it gives you a chance of saving your neck; there is none at all the other way. A few questions first. How many travellers—let us say officers of the English army—have you trapped as you tried to trap me?"
The man hesitated.
"Quick!" cried Harry, "no paltering now. You know the alternative."