"With all my heart," answered Gero; "and literally too!--Not to please you, but on my master's account."
"You are an honest fellow," said the knight. And drawing his poniard, he cut the ropes which bound the squire.
"By all the saints of paradise!" cried Erwin; "since you still have some chivalrous feelings left, will you accept my challenge?"
"With pleasure, when and where you will!"
"Whither can I send it?" asked Rechberg, eagerly.
"What use is there of all these formalities when your Emperor violates every law, whether human or divine. Present yourself, under a flag of truce, at the gate of St. Ambrose; you will find me there."
"I thank you," said the Count. "Be prepared tomorrow at early dawn."
"You will find the horses where you left them," added the Unknown. "You have stolen nothing, I trust," he continued, turning to his followers, who had listened with curiosity to the dialogue.
"For whom do you take us, my lord?" replied Wido. "But this glove which I see here, scarcely will fit the hand of a German boar, so I conclude it is not his property."
"Ah! give it to me," said the Unknown; "it belongs to Hermengarde. If our combat should be prevented by any accident, you can always recognize your enemy by this glove which he will wear on his helmet. Yes, I will bear this in her honor and as a defiance to you."
At these words he signed to his men to follow him, and soon the troop disappeared in the recesses of the forest.
"What a strange person!" said Erwin; "he is a singular mixture of an honest man and a highway robber.
"Yes," replied Gero; "but there is a preponderance of the robber. His loyalty seems to me like a drop of wine in a cask of water. My lord, I don't like to see you stretched thus on the ground, so I will lift you upon your feet."
"Cut these ropes, and I will lift myself up."
"Excuse me, my lord Count, but I cannot; for I fear that you will make a bad use of your liberty, and pursue the bandits."
Gero, after some trouble, managed to get his master on his feet, and then went to look for the horses. In the interval, Rechberg reflected upon the change which had taken place in his position, and which had seemingly blasted his hopes. It was all over, he thought; Hermengarde was in the power of one who seemed to have certain claims to her; but Gero's return put an end to his meditations.