Well, the first Cossack he came upon should pay.

Meanwhile there was his duty.

What had his father said?
"The Cossacks--the wagon-train--the Countess Laure." What did it mean?
Part of it was plain enough.

The Cossacks had raided the village, his father had been stricken down defending his daughter, his sister had died.

That was easy, but the wagon-train, the castle, the Countess Laure?
Could she have come back?
Was that the occasion for the lights in the chateau?
That body of cavalry that he had seen leaving Sacken's men that morning with the civilians--was she that woman?
The mystery would be solved at the chateau.