The dumb man gave the knife in a moment, but Theresa had not time to approach.
"I went with him," said Alt Pikker calmly.
"You went with him," repeated his mother after a moment, not understanding.
"Could I let the young man go alone into the midst of his enemies?"
"He went for my sake!" moaned Joan. "He is to die for me!"
"Nay," corrected Alt Pikker, "he is to die for wedding the Princess Margaret of Courtland!"
Again they cried out upon him in utmost astonishment—that is, all the men.
"Maurice von Lynar has married the Princess Margaret of Courtland? Impossible!"
"And why should he not?" his mother cried out.
"I expected it from the first!" quoth Joan of the Sword Hand, disdainful of their masculine ignorance.