He is in the Palatinate, and it will take you four days of hard riding at the least to reach him.
"In the meantime, your little maid, who by the way is already nearly a woman, had best remain here--I will see that she is comfortable and well cared for, and after all she is as well here as at Nuremberg, as there is no fear now of an advance of the Imperialists.

In case of anything extraordinary occurring which might render this town an unsafe abiding place, I will forward her in safety to Nuremberg, even I if I have to detach a score of my men as her escort." Before mounting again Malcolm paid a hurried visit to Thekla, who expressed her contentment with her new abode, and her readiness to stay there until he should return to take her to Nuremberg, even should it be weeks before he could do so.
"I quite feel among friends now," she said, "and Colonel Munro and your Scotch officers will, I am sure, take good care of me till you return." Glad to feel that his charge was left in good hands Malcolm mounted his horse with a light heart and galloped away.

Four days later he was closeted with the Swedish chancellor, and relating to him the scene in the castle at Pilsen.

When he had finished his narrative Oxenstiern, who had, before Malcolm began, read the letter which Wallenstein had sent him, said: "After what you tell me there can be no longer the slightest doubts of Wallenstein's intention.

Ever since the death of the king he has been negotiating privately with me, but I could not believe that he was in earnest or that such monstrous treachery was possible.