"In the name of his Excellency the Prince I summon you, Dionysius Banfy, to appear in three days before the court in Karlsburg to defend yourself in legal form against the indictment found against you. Until that time your wife remains in custody, as hostage for your deeds."
"We will come," replied Michael Angyal. "You can see for yourself that we were on the point of starting out only we did not know until now which way to go."
"Still, my lord captain!" said Banfy. "One should not use mockery with a messenger from the Prince." The messenger turned then to the officers:
"This summons does not concern you. For you I have another message to give in the name of the Prince."
"You may keep it to yourself or I will say something to you that will make your ears tingle," sneered the captain, aiming his pistol at the herald.
"Down with your pistol!" Banfy called out to him. "Let him give the Prince's message. Give him opportunity to speak freely."
The herald straightened himself in his saddle and surveying the soldiers said in a loud voice:
"The Prince forbids you to give further obedience to Banfy; any man that takes up weapons for him is a traitor to his country."
"That's what you are yourself," growled Michael Angyal.
The next moment the disorganized troops had turned with rage and threats toward the herald: a hundred swords flashed at the same time above his head.