“I cannot make him out,” mused Ebearhard.  “What has been his training?  He appears to be well educated, and yet in some common matters is ignorant as a child, as, for instance, not knowing the difference in status between a skilled artisan and a chaffering merchant!  What can have been his up-bringing?  He is obviously not of the merchant class, yet he persuades the chief of our merchants, and the most conservative, to engage in this wild goose chase, and actually venture money and goods in supporting him.  This expedition will cost Herr Goebel at least five thousand thalers, all because of the blandishments of a youth who walked in from the street, unintroduced.  Then he is not an artisan of any sort, for when he joined us his hands were quite useless, except upon the sword-hilt.”

“He said he was a fencing-master,” explained Greusel.

“I know he did, and yet when he was offered a fee to instruct us he wouldn’t look at it.  The first duty of a fencing-master, like the rest of us, is to make money.  Roland quite evidently scorns it, and at the last instructs us for nothing.  Fencing-masters don’t promote freebooting expeditions, and, besides, a fencing-master is always urbane and polite, cringing to every one.  I have watched Roland closely at times, trying to study him, and in doing so have caught momentary glimpses of such contempt for us, that, by the good Lord above us, it made me shrivel up.  You know, Greusel, that youth has more of the qualities usually attributed to a noble than those which go to the make-up of any tradesman.”

“He is a puzzle to me,” admitted Greusel, “and if this excursion does not break up at the outset, I am not sure that it will be a success.”

Noticing a look of alarm in Ebearhard’s eyes, Greusel cast a glance over his shoulder, and saw Roland standing behind him.  The young man said quietly: 

“It hasn’t broken up at the outset, for we are already more than five leagues from Frankfort.  Our foray must be a success while I have two such wise advisers as I find sitting here.”

Neither of the men replied.  Both were wondering how much their leader had overheard.  He took his place on the bench beside Ebearhard, and said to him: 

“I wish you to act as my second lieutenant.  If anything happens to me, Greusel takes my place and you take his.  This, by the way, is an appointment, rather than an election.  It is not to be put before the guild.  You simply act as second lieutenant, and that is all there is about it.”

“Very good, Commander,” said Ebearhard.

“Greusel, how much money have you?”

“Thirty thalers.”

“Economical man!  Will you lend me the sum until we reach
Assmannshausen?”

“Certainly.”  Greusel pulled forth his wallet, poured out the gold, and
Roland took charge of it.

“And you, Ebearhard?  How are you off for funds?”

“I possess twenty-five thalers.”