The two men departed down the stairs, leaving at least one interested spectator of the conference about to take place. The elder woman remained where she was, with her hands folded on her lap; the Countess Tekla leaning against the parapet, saw her uncle and Rodolph, attended by Captain Steinmetz and a guard of lancers, mount the platform above the gates, while the imposing troop of horsemen came to halt amidst another blast from the trumpets.
CHAPTER XXI. AN EXPERIMENT IN DIPLOMACY.
In loud and sonorous voice Count Bertrich spoke, his words plainly heard by all on the castle walls and even far down the valley.
"Heinrich of Thuron, sometime Count Palatine, now deposed by lawful authority duly proclaimed, you are summoned to surrender the Castle of Thuron at present held by you, to the custody of his High Puissant and Reverend Lordship, Konrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne, and his ally, the High Puissant and Reverend Lordship, Arnold von Isenberg, Archbishop of Treves, and in event of such summons not being instantly obeyed, your life is declared forfeit and all within your walls outlaws."
"Ask him," whispered the Emperor, "on what authority this summons is delivered."
"On whose authority do you act?" cried Heinrich, in a voice no less powerful than that of Bertrich.
"His Lordship the Archbishop of Treves is your over-lord, and as such is entitled to make the demand I have set forth."
"Then ask him what the devil Cologne is doing in this business," said Rodolph.