The burgher turned toward us, and as we approached I heard him say:-- "My lord, these men are not spies." "Who are they ?" demanded the duke.
Castleman gave our names and told the story of our meeting at Basel, after we had escorted Merchant Franz from Cannstadt.

Then he narrated Max's adventure at the moat bridge, closing with:-- "Count Calli grossly insulted Fraeulein Castleman, for which Sir Max chastised him; and no doubt, my lord, this arrest has been made for revenge." "Has the younger man name or title other than you have given ?" asked Charles.
The burgher hesitated before he answered:-- "He has, my lord, though I may not disclose it to Your Grace without his permission, unless you order me so to do upon my fealty.

That I humbly beg Your Grace not to do." "I beg Your Grace not to ask me to disclose my identity at this time," said Max.

"I am willing, should you insist upon knowing who I am, to tell it privately in Your Grace's ear; but I am travelling incognito with my friend, Sir Karl de Pitti, and I beg that I may remain so.

My estate is neither very great nor very small, but what it is I desire for many reasons not to divulge.