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Then the drums began to roll, at first slowly, then with a rumble

that became ever faster and louder; at this signal the Muscovite

officer gave orders to lock up the Count and the jockeys in the

hall, under guard, but to take the gentry out into the yard,

where the other company was stationed. In vain Sprinkler fumed

and struggled.

The staff was stationed in the yard, and with it many armed

gentry, the Podhajskis, Birbaszes, Hreczechas, Biergels, all

friends or kinsmen of the Judge. They had hastened to his relief

when they heard of the attack upon him, the more eagerly since

they had long been at odds with the Dobrzynskis.

Who had summoned the battalion of Muscovites from the villages?

Who had gathered so quickly the neighbours from the hamlets? Was

it the Assessor or Jankiel? As to this there were various

rumours, but no one knew with certainty either then or later.