"Frankfort customs hold not on the banks of the Moselle," said Beilstein, menacingly.
"Did your sister enter and leave Treves under this passport?" asked the Elector.
"Freely."
"Unquestioned?"
"Absolutely unquestioned."
"Did the Archbishop know of her presence?"
"She had the honour of appearing at the Archbishop's Court."
"Hum!" ejaculated the Captain of the Elector, doubtingly, lowering at the polite stranger suspiciously from under his bushy eyebrows. "The manners of his Lordship's Court must have changed since I knew aught of them, if Arnold von Isenberg invites Frankfort merchants to his circle."
"We have the privilege of being vouched for by Baron Siegfried von Brunfels, now in Treves. I may also add that although I engage in traffic, there is no plebeian blood in my veins."
The Elector's Captain handed the passport back to Beilstein, saying in an undertone, "I should not meddle with these people were I in your stead. 'Tis likely what he says may be true."