"Frankfort."
"Your purpose in Treves?"
"We are two silk merchants."
"Your papers."
Siegfried handed down the documents to the officer who demanded them. He scrutinised them closely, and, apparently satisfied, returned them.
"What news from Frankfort? How fares our new Emperor?" he asked.
"He has betaken himself to the Holy Wars," answered Siegfried.
"By the Coat then, and are there not blows enough for him in Germany without going abroad for them? I heard he was more gallant than soldier."
"It is not true," said Siegfried, with some sternness.
"Soldier and gallant too, my friend," interjected Rodolph, fearing that Siegfried's loyalty might lead him to indulge in censure which might prove impolitic on the part of those seeking entrance, to those who were the guardians of a gate. "Surely the two trades have gone hand in hand before now?"