"We have not said that," answered Moses; "but if you have come on an honest errand, come in first by yourself; show me a line of writing, or some other token, and we shall know at once what we are about." "Writing? token? Isn't the living word more than any writing? And isn't it token enough that I, the Hédervárys' governor, am here myself?" "The garrison are not coming into the castle!" cried Talabor. "There are enough of us here, and we don't want any more mouths to feed! But if you yourself wish to come in, you may, and then we shall soon see how things are." "Mr. Governor!" shouted Libor in a fury, "I hold you responsible for anything that may happen! who knows whether some stray band of Tartars may not find their way up here to-day or to-morrow, and who is going to stand against them?" "We! I!" said Talabor. "Make your choice, if you please! Come in alone, or--nobody will be let in, and we will take the responsibility." So saying Talabor went forward, and looking down through the loophole, exclaimed, "Why, Mr. Libor, who are those behind you?" "Tótok (Slovacks), they don't understand Hungarian," answered Libor; and in a louder voice he added, "Let the drawbridge down at once, I will come in alone." "Talabor!" said Dora, coming hastily into the room, "I see a whole number of men coming up the road. What does it mean?" "It means treachery, mistress! Mr. Héderváry's governor, Libor, _deák_, is here asking for admittance, and I suspect mischief. I believe the rascal means to take the castle," said Talabor. "No one must be admitted," answered Dora. As Dora spoke, Governor Moses turned round. The old man was not yet clear in his own mind what they ought to do. If the reinforcements had really come from Master Peter, why then there was no reason why they should not be admitted; and, left to himself, he would certainly have let both Libor and all his followers in without delay. But Talabor had "driven a nail into his head" which caused him to hesitate, and Dora's commands were peremptory. "Excuse me, Mr. Governor," said Dora, "and allow me to come to the window." "Mr. Libor," she went on, in a voice which trembled a little, "please to withdraw yourself and your men, and go back wherever you have come from. If we are attacked we will defend ourselves, and you must all be wanted elsewhere, if it is true, as I hear, that the Tartars have invaded the country." "Dearest young lady! Your father will be greatly vexed by this obstinacy." "That's enough, Libor!" said Talabor, with a sign to Dora, who drew back. "We shall let no one into the castle, not even Master Peter's own brother, unless he can show us Master Peter's ring, for those were his private instructions to me."