The lord of Falkenberg proved as moderate in his exactions as the men of Rheinstein.  Many bales had been cut open, and the thieves, with the knowledge of cloth-weavers, selected in every case only the best goods, but of these had taken merely enough for one costume each.

Although the company had made so early a beginning, it was past noon by the time they reached the barge on the second occasion.  A substantial meal was served, for every man was ravenously hungry, besides being disgusted to learn that there were ups and downs even in the trade of thievery.

Early in the afternoon they made for the delicate Castle of Sonneck, whose slender turrets stood out beautifully against the blue sky.  Here excellent cover was found within sight of the doorway, for Sonneck stood alone on its rock without the protection of a wall.

In this case the experience of Rheinstein was repeated, with the exception that it was not the master of the Castle they encountered, but a frightened warder, who, with a sharp sword to influence him, produced keys and opened the treasury.  Not nearly so large a haul of gold was made as in the first instance, yet enough was obtained to constitute a most lucrative day’s work, and with this they sought the barge in high spirits.

They waited in the shadow of the hills until dusk, then quietly made their way across the river behind the shelter of the two islands, and so came to rest alongside the bank, just above the busy town of Lorch, scarcely two leagues down the river from the berth they had occupied the night before.  After the barge was tied up, Roland walked on deck with the captain, listening to his account of events from the level of the river surface.  It proved that, all in all, Roland could suggest no amendment of the day’s proceedings.  So far as Blumenfels was concerned, everything had gone without a hitch.

As they promenaded thus, one of the men came forward, and said, rather cavalierly: 

“Commander, your comrades wish to see you in the cabin.”

Roland made no reply, but continued his conversation with the captain until he learned from that somewhat reticent individual all he wished to know.  Then he walked leisurely aft, and descended into the cabin, where he found the eighteen seated on the lockers, as if the conclave were a deliberate body like the Electors, who had come to some momentous decision.

“We have unanimously passed a resolution,” said Kurzbold, “that the money shall be divided equally amongst us each evening.  You do not object, I suppose?”

“No; I don’t object to your passing a resolution.”

“Very good.  We do not wish to waste time just now in the division, because we are going to Lorch, intending to celebrate our success with a banquet.  Would Greusel, Ebearhard, and yourself care to join us?”

“I cannot speak for the other two,” returned Roland quietly; “but personally I shall be unable to attend, as there are some plans for the future which need thinking over.”