"Then why are you all here?" cried the youth in the purest Hungarian.
"Because they locked us out at six o'clock in the evening, and would not let us in."
"Why was that?"
"They say that at dawn of day someone in the fortress is to be executed."
"Who is it?" said the youth, visibly affected.
"Why, the Princess of Moldavia, of course."
"Oh, that cannot be in any case," exclaimed the leader of the Spahis. "I have just come from the Sultan, and I have brought with me his firman, in which he summons her to Stambul; not a hair of her head is to be crumpled."
"Then it will be just as well, sir, if you try to get into the fortress, for it may be you have come with the sermon after the festival is over, and that letter may remain in your pocket if once they cut off her head."
The youth seemed for a moment to be reflecting, then, turning to those who stood around, he said:
"Through which gate do they admit the soldiers on guard?"