Roland pondered deeply on what had been said to him, but for the moment made no reply. Greusel, who joined them during the conversation, remaining silent until Ebearhard had finished, now spoke:
“I quite agree with all that has been said.”
“What, then, would you advise me to do?” asked Roland.
“I have been talking with one or two of the men,” said Greusel. “(They won’t speak to Ebearhard because he drew his sword on them.) I find they believe you took advantage of their absence to bury the gold in what you suppose to be a safe place. They are sure you are acquainted with no one in Lorch to whom you could safely entrust it, and of course do not suspect an emissary from Frankfort. I should advise you to say that arrangements have been made for every man to get his share so long as nothing untoward happens to you. This will preserve your life should they go so far as to threaten it, and compel them to stay on with us. After all, we are merely artisans, and not fighting men. I am convinced that if ever we are really attacked, we shall make a very poor showing, even though we carry swords. Remember how the men tumbled over one another in their haste to get out of reach when Ebearhard flourished his blade.”
“I think Greusel’s suggestion is an excellent one,” put in Ebearhard.
“Very well,” said Roland, “I shall adopt it, although I had made up my mind fully to enlighten them.”
“There is one more matter that I should like to speak to you about,” continued Ebearhard. “Both at Assmannshausen, and at Lorch last night, we heard a good deal anent Furstenberg. It is the most dangerous castle on the Rhine to meddle with. The Laughing Baron, as they call him, although he is a Margrave, is the only man who dared to stop a king on his way down the Rhine, and hold him for ransom.”
“Yes,” said Roland; “Adolf of Nassau, on his way to be crowned at Aix-la-Chapelle.”
“Quite so. Well, this huge ruffian—I never can remember his name; can you, Greusel?”
“No, it beats me.”