The Very Reverend Herr Waimœner, accompanied by a herald, came as a messenger of peace to the great door of the tower and, with the blast of a trumpet, called upon its commander to take part in peaceful negotiations.
Feodor sent him the hunchback who acted as his castellan. "The fellow is stone-deaf," said he; "let them negotiate with him!"
But the hunchback was not stone-deaf—at least when he cared to hear. He merely chose to deceive the deceivers.
Right well did he understand the reverend gentleman's summons. According to it, every man would be granted free departure, immunity from all punishment, and as much of the tower's treasure as his shoulders could bear, if only the Master were delivered alive into the hands of justice.
The castellan first returned and imparted the news to those of his companions who were keeping watch at the door. These passed it on to the others.
At this juncture the Master appeared in their midst. As of yore they gathered round him and listened attentively to his words.
"Men!" cried Feodor, "we have now to stand the test of fire, and show the world what forty fellows like us can do in a stronghold like this. We have magnificent guns and enough ammunition and provisions to last till doomsday. We will sweep away all who attempt to creep along that rocky ridge, and will send that ship to the bottom should she dare to come within range of our guns."
He paused as if to observe the effect of his words upon those around him, but there was not the spirited response which he had expected.
"Even if we be overcome," he went on desperately, "is it not enough if we send the tower and our enemies into the air together, our hands gripping their throats to the last? Thus, either they will bear us aloft with them to Heaven—or we will drag them down with us to Hell. Up, then, and ready with fire and sword!"
Time was when such an address would have been greeted with a storm of applause. Now it was received with silence and strangely sullen faces.