“You should not have spoken so to His Highness,” said von Arnheim.  “I could not help but hear.  He is our commander here, and it is not well to infuriate one who holds all power over you?”

“I am but human,” replied John.

“And being human, you should have had complete control over yourself at such a time.”

“I admit it,” said John, taking the rebuke in the right spirit.

“You’re to spend the night here.  I’ve been able to secure this much lenity for you, but it’s for one night only.  Tomorrow you go with the other prisoners in the stables.  Your door will be locked, but even if you should succeed in forcing it don’t try to escape.  The halls swarm with sentinels, and you would be shot instantly.  I’ll have food sent to you presently.”

He spoke brusquely but kindly.  When he went out John heard a huge key rumbling in the lock.

CHAPTER XIV

A PROMISE KEPT

The room in which John was confined contained only a bed, a chair and a table.  It was lighted by a single window, from which he could see numerous soldiers below.  He also heard the distant mutter of the cannon, which seemed now to have become a part of nature.  There were periods of excitement or of mental detachment, when he did not notice it, but it was always there.  Now the soldiers in the grounds were moving but little, and the air pulsed with the thud of the great guns.

He recalled again his promise, or rather threat, to Auersperg that he would escape.  Instinctively he went to the narrow but tall window and glanced at the heavens.  Then he knew that impulse had made him look for Lannes and the Arrow, and he laughed at his own folly.  Even if Lannes knew where they were he could not slip prisoners out of a house, surrounded by watchful German troops.

He heard the heavy key turning in the lock, and a silent soldier brought him food, which he put upon the table.  The man remained beside the door until John had eaten his supper, when he took the dishes and withdrew.  He had not spoken a word while he was in the room, but as he was passing out John said: 

“Good-bye, Pickelbaube!  Let’s have no ill feeling between you and me.”

The German—­honest peasant that he was—­grinned and nodded.  He could not understand the English words, but he gathered from John’s tone that they were friendly, and he responded at once.  But when he closed the door behind him John heard the heavy key turning in the lock again.  He knew there was little natural hostility between the people of different nations.  It was instilled into them from above.

Food brought back new strength and new courage.  He took his place again at the window which was narrow and high, cut through a deep wall.  The illusion of the Middle Ages, which Auersperg had created so completely, returned.  This was the dungeon in a castle and he was a prisoner doomed to death by its lord.  Some dismounted Uhlans who were walking across the grounds with their long lances over their shoulders gave another touch to this return of the past, as the first rays of the moonlight glittered on helmet and lance-head.