“No,” said the chairman shortly.

“Very well,” concluded Kurzbold, “as I am graciously permitted to speak in the august presence of our ex-Captain, I desire to say that whatever my share happens to be, I bestow it gladly, nay, exultantly, upon the poor of Frankfort.”

With that Kurzbold sat down, and there was first a roar of laughter, followed by a clapping of hands.  Gensbein rose, and said briefly: 

“I do as Kurzbold does.”

“Now,” said Roland, “I want a number of volunteers to start out into the country early to-morrow morning, Greusel, you, as chairman, will designate the routes.  Each man is to penetrate as far as he can along the main roads, asking the farmers to bring everything in the shape of food they have to sell.  Tell them a vast sum has been collected, and that their cartloads will be bought entire the moment they enter the city.  There will be no waiting for their money.  Prompt payment, and everything eatable purchased immediately.  Greusel, I put on you the hardest task.  Penetrate into the forest south of the Main, and tell the charcoal-burners and woodmen to bring in material for kitchen fires.  How many will volunteer?”

Every man rose.  Roland thanked them.  “I shall now divulge a secret, and you will see that when it was told to me I remembered your interests.  It has been my privilege to meet, since I saw you, more than one man who is a ruler in this Empire.”

“Did they tell you who is to be the new Emperor?” cried one.

“That is known only to the Electors.  But what I was about to say is this.  There are to be established by the Government ironworks on a scale hitherto unknown in any land.  I believe, and did my best to inculcate that belief in others, that we are on the verge of an age of iron, and, knowing your skill, I am privileged to offer each of you the superintendency of a department, with compensation never before given so lavishly in Germany.  I am also induced to believe that the new Emperor will bestow a title on each of you who desire such honor, so that there can be no question of your right to wear a sword.  Greusel, you must receive reports from each of our food scouts, and I shall be glad to know the outcome, if you take the trouble to call upon me any hour after nine o’clock at night, at my old room in Sachsenhausen.  And now, good-night, and good-luck to you all.”

Roland went over the bridge, and so reached his room on the other side.  He glanced around several times to satisfy himself he was not spied upon, and laughed at the apprehension of the Archbishop.  Entering his room, he lit a lamp, took off his cloak and flung it on the bed, then unbuckled his sword-belt and hung it and the weapon on a peg, placing his cloak above them.  He was startled by a loud knock at the door, and stood for a moment astonished, until it was repeated with the stern warning: 

“Open in the name of the Archbishop!”