An instant of silence followed. The dialogue was then again begun by
the stranger.
'What brought you alone to the base of the ramparts?' he demanded, and
an expression of ungovernable apprehension shot from his eyes as he
spoke.
'I saw the appearance of a man in the gleam of the lightning,' answered
Hermanric. 'I approached it, to assure myself that my eyes had not
deluded me, to discover--'
'There is but one man of your nation who shall discover whence I came
and what I would obtain,' interrupted the stranger fiercely; 'that man
is Alaric, your king.'
Surprise, indignation, and contempt appeared in the features of the
Goth, as he listened to such a declaration from the helpless outcast
before him. The man perceived it, and motioning him to be silent, again
addressed him.
'Listen!' cried he. 'I have that to reveal to the leader of your forces
which will stir the heart of every man in your encampment, if you are
trusted with the secret after your king has heard it from my lips! Do
you still refuse to guide me to his tent?'
Hermanric laughed scornfully.
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