In the early gray of the morning the Emperor came to a solitary fisherman’s hut, which showed no sign of life within. Evidently it was either deserted or its owner was sleeping. He was now sure he was in the vicinity of the castle. He knocked at the door and waited long for admission. He soon grew impatient and had just decided to break down the weak door and wait inside until daylight; or if he found the occupant had been afraid to open it, to take him along as a guide. A person looked out of the little window, but instantly drew back as if in fear when he saw the knight. Frederick espied him and demanded admission. After considerable delay the fisherman opened the door. He suddenly appeared to have recovered from his fright, for he received the knight very hospitably, brought him food, placed it upon the table, and begged his guest to partake. “I would gladly offer you more, brave knight; but I am poor, and this is all I have.” “Make no excuses, my good man,” replied Frederick. “I am not so satiated that I need to have luxuries. I have been living on simple fare for several days, and have become quite accustomed to it.” “Are the Christians reduced to their old straits again?” asked the fisherman. “Yes, thanks to the Greeks and Turks. They have proved alike unfaithful. Your Greek Christians have broken their word again, and would have been open enemies had they not been afraid of the brave Germans. Your master, the Sultan, has been worse than any of them.” “But his subjects ought not to be held responsible for his offences. They say your Emperor is a powerful sovereign, but mild and conciliatory also.” “If you had been with him daily you could not have described him more accurately, but neither your people nor your Sultan should presume upon his gentle disposition too far. It has bounds. The entire country is now subdued. The enemy has fled, and the Sultan has taken refuge in his castle by the sea. Tell me, do you know anything about that place?” “Oh, yes, Sir Knight, I can inform you about it if you wish to know. Come here! Look! there are its walls with towers overtopping them. You can recognize them though it is not yet day. The Sultan is staying there now.” “Alone?” “No, oh, no! The garrison is not strong, but the castle is by no means empty. I will tell you, but in confidence, that the Sultan keeps two boy-prisoners there who are very dear to the Emperor.” “Have you seen them?” said the Emperor, with much excitement. “Not yet; but I heard of them when I was there selling fish.” “Ah!” said the Emperor, with an air of indifference, not wishing to betray himself, for he observed that the fisherman was watching him curiously. “Does the Sultan keep no guards about him because he has no fear that the Emperor will attack him?”