“In that case we shall not expect you,” went on Kurzbold, who seemed in no way grieved at the loss of his commander’s company.

“Perhaps,” suggested John Gensbein, “our chief will drop in upon us later in the evening.  We learned at Assmannshausen that the Krone is a very excellent tavern, so we shall sup there.”

“How did you know we were to stop at Lorch?” asked Roland, wondering if in any way they had heard he was to meet Goebel’s emissary in this village.

“We were not sure,” replied Gensbein, “but we made inquiries concerning all the villages and castles down the Rhine, and have taken notes.”

“Ah, in that case you are well qualified as a guide.  I may find occasion to use the knowledge thus acquired.”

“We are all equally involved in this expedition,” said Kurzbold impatiently, “and you must not imagine yourself the only person to be considered.  But we lose time.  What we wish at the present moment is that you will unlock one of these chests, and divide amongst us a bag of gold.  The rest is to be partitioned when we return this evening; and after that, Herr Roland, we shall not need to trouble you by asking for more money.”

“Are the thirty thalers I gave you the other day all spent, Herr Kurzbold?”

“No matter for that,” replied this insubordinate ex-president.  “The money in the lockers is ours, and we demand a portion of it now, with the remainder after the banquet.”

Without another word, Roland took the bunch of keys from his belt, opened one of the lockers, lifted out a bag of gold, untied the thongs, and poured out the coins on the lid of the chest, which he locked again.

“There is the money,” he said to Kurzbold.  “I shall send Greusel and Ebearhard to share in its distribution, and thus you can invite them to your banquet.  My own portion you may leave on the lid of the locker.”

With that he departed up on deck again, and said to his officers: 

“Kurzbold, on behalf of the men, has demanded a bag of gold.  You will go to the cabin and receive your share.  They will also invite you to a banquet at the Krone.  Accept that invitation, and if possible engage a private room, as you did at Assmannshausen, to prevent the men talking with any of the inhabitants.  Keep them roystering there until all the village has gone to bed; then convoy them back to the barge as quietly as you can.  A resolution has been passed that the money is to be divided amongst our warriors on their return, but I imagine that they will be in no condition to act as accountants when I have the pleasure of beholding them again, so if anything is said about the apportionment, suggest a postponement of the ceremony until morning.  I need not add that I expect you both to drink sparingly, for this is advice I intend to follow myself.”