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.
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