"You miss, or rather, evade the point, Commander. Is the gold ours, or
is it yours?"

"I have admitted that part of it is yours."

"Then by what right do you assert the power to deal with it, lacking our
consent? If you will pardon me for saying so, you, the youngest of our
company, treat the rest of us as though we were children."

"If I possessed a child that acted at once so obstreperously and in so
cowardly a manner as you did last night, I should cut a stick from the
forest here, and thrash him with such severity that he would never
forget it. As I have not done this to you, I deny that I treat you like
children. The truth is that, although the youngest, I am your commander.
We are engaged in acts of war, therefore military law prevails, and not
the code of Justinian. It is my duty to protect your treasure and my
own, and ensure that each man shall receive his share. After the
division you may do what you please with the money, for you will then be
under the common law, and I should not presume even to advise concerning
its disposal."

"You refuse to tell us, then, what you have done with the gold?"

"I do. Now proceed with your suggestion."

"I fear I put the case too mildly when I called it a suggestion,
considering the unsatisfactory nature of your reply to my question,
therefore I withdraw the word 'suggestion,' and substitute the word
'command.'"

Kurzbold paused, to give his ultimatum the greater force. Behind him
rose a murmur of approval.

"Words do not matter in the least. I deal with deeds. Out, then, with
your command!" cried Roland, for the first time exhibiting impatience.

"The command unanimously adopted is this: the Castle of Furstenberg must
be left alone. We know more of that Castle than you do, especially about
its owner and his garrison. We have been gathering information as we
journeyed, and have not remained sulking in the barge."

"Well, that is encouraging news to hear," said Roland. "I thought you
were engaged in sampling wine."

"You hear the command. Will you obey?"

"I will not," said Roland decisively.

Ebearhard took a step forward to the side of his chief, and glanced at
him reproachfully. Greusel remained where he was, but neither man spoke.

"You intend to attack Furstenberg?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"This afternoon."

Kurzbold turned to his following:

"Brethren," he said, "you have heard this conversation, and it needs no
comment from me."

Apparently the d