"As well as I remember," said Erwin, "the legal toll is a penny for each person. By what right do you raise it a hundredfold?"
"I told you once already," replied Dietho;--"it is because the times are hard."
"Besides, we are not here to give explanations to milk-sops," said a voice from within. "Pay, or leave the bridge!"
"Miserable hound! do you dare to speak thus to a knight?" cried Erwin, passionately. "Here are your twelve pennies; now clear the way!"
"The varlets may pass," said Dietho, coolly pocketing the money; "but for the others to cross this beautiful bridge, which has cost so much money to build, there are just twelve pieces too few!"
"If you do not do your duty at once," said the knight, laying his hand on his sword, "I will compel you."
At this, the guard burst into a loud laugh of derision.
"Come on then," they cried; "if that is your game, we will give you a lesson in arithmetic."
Rechberg was disposed to force the passage, but Bonello hastened to interfere.
"Have no difficulty with those people," he cried; "I will pay what they ask!"
"No! you shall not," said the Count. "This robbery of travellers, in the name of the Emperor, is a crime which must not go unpunished. Leave me; it is a meritorious action to chastise such scoundrels!"
All at once Herman appeared; he had overheard the quarrel, and now came to give assistance to his men.
Erwin lowered his visor, for the prefect knew him, and the young man wished to be positive of his complicity.
"It is fortunate that you are here, my lord," replied Dietho. "This young man has been threatening to use his sword against us because we would not allow his whole party to cross for twelve paltry pennies."
"For twelve pennies!--You and your retinue!--You could not have seriously thought it," said Herman to the Count.
"Twelve pennies are just the legal tax, for we are but nine persons in all."
"Ah!" said the prefect; "perhaps you mean to teach me my duty, and what I have the right to ask?"
"The law has fixed the tariff sufficiently."
"Has it, indeed! Dietho, what did you charge this gentleman?"
"Twelve pieces of gold for the three nobles, and twelve pennies for the servants.--Pardon me if my demand was too moderate."
"It was, indeed, too moderate," cried Herman, glancing towards Bonello.--"You traitors have compelled the Emperor to cross the Alps, and now, if I am to judge by your lowered visor, you wish to force the bridge!--Very well, come on. We are ready for you!"