They had not gone far, when they were met by the Baron.
“Ah, my young sir, you are I understand Eric von Lindburg; I have at length got a hostage for your father’s good behaviour,” he exclaimed, exultingly. “You will find pleasant lodging in the Castle of Schweinsburg, for the next few years or more of your life, if your father does not yield to my demands. I have long been looking for this opportunity, now it has arrived. Ha, ha, ha!”
Eric kept a dignified silence, merely saying, “I am in your power, Baron Schweinsburg. I cannot choose, but do what you command.”
This calm reply somewhat annoyed the Baron.
“Ah, we shall find you a tongue ere long, young sir,” he observed, with a savage expression, as they rode along.
The party went on at a rapid rate till it was nearly dark, when they stopped at an hostelry to refresh themselves, a strong guard being placed in the room into which the prisoners were conducted. The moon then rising, they continued their journey, and at length, perched on a rocky height, the grey walls of the old Castle of Schweinsburg rose before them. A steep pathway led them up to a bridge thrown across a deep chasm, which almost completely surrounded the building, and had rendered it impregnable to the assaults of foes armed only with the engines of ancient warfare. In the court-yard the Baron ordered them to dismount; and four armed men conducted them up a winding staircase to a room at the top of a high tower, from which, unless provided with wings, there seemed but little chance of escaping.
In a short time their luggage was brought up to them, followed by a tolerably substantial supper.
“The Baron does not intend to starve us, at all events,” observed old Hans. “Come, my dear young master, eat and keep up your spirits. Matters might have been much worse. Perhaps we may ere long find some means of escaping, let the Baron guard us ever so carefully. At all events, let us hope for the best.”