As it was in the beginning, is now, ever shall be, world without end, A-a-a-men!" These were, of course, only the lay brothers, and I hope the friars were better behaved.

I decided, however, that for the sake of my respect for religion, I should ask Dessauer.

Because I saw even the Abbot Tobias lean smilingly over to Abbot Prince Karl, and I marvelled what they spoke about.

Not that I had long to wonder, for through the open door of the chapel there streamed a dismal host of invaders from the Wolfmark--black Hussars of Death, in dark armor, with white skeletons painted over them, all charnel-house ribs and bones in hideous and ridiculous array--which was one of Duke Casimir's devices to frighten children, and no doubt these scarecrows frightened many of these.

Specially when these villanous companies were recruited from all the wild bandits of the Mark, and never punished for any atrocity, but, on the contrary, rather encouraged in evil-doing in order to spread the terror of their name.
Yet, when they came rushing in, even the cavaliers of death were daunted by the sight which met them.