“I have for some minutes suspected as much,” replied von Schonburg.
“Were you arrested and brought here, or did you come here willingly?”
“Oh, I came here willingly enough. I ran half a league in my eagerness to reach this spot and fairly jumped into it,” replied Wilhelm, with a bitter laugh.
“You were in such haste to reach this spot?” said the old man, sombrely, “what is your crime?”
“That I do not know, but I shall probably soon learn when I come before the court.”
“Are you a member of the order, then?”
“No, I am not.”
“In that case, it will require the oaths of twenty-one members to clear you, therefore, if you have not that many friends in the order I look upon you as doomed.”
“Thank you. That is as God wills.”
“Assuredly, assuredly. We are all in His hands,” and the good man devoutedly crossed himself.