Shortly after his conversation with Brother Timothy, Cesky Brezen had announced that they were leaving. He had re-supplied himself from the apothecary's shop and the three gypsies had stolen aboard the next train traveling out of Brno in the direction of the Austrian border. Passing through Zidlochovice the train had eventually arrived in the town of Valtice, which at this time was not Czech, but technically part of Austria. Here the companions had left their train, walked through the Bori les woods, and gone to look at the chateau belonging to the Liechtenstein family.
They were not tourists, but had come for two things, the fine Moravian red wine produced in the region, and the first display of the year to be performed by the local Sokol. Although these gymnastic societies were only four years old, having been founded in 1861, they were already attracting thousands of participants. Throughout the year they drilled in smaller groups, and then came together in a Slet, or assembly, of Sokols which could number as many as 15,000.
Where ever there were crowds, Brezen and his companions could make a living.
"But why leave Brno?" Balo insisted, "we were doing well and the shanglo - police - were leaving us alone. Surely you don't fear that marhime - unclean - priest?"
Brezen, watching the crowd watching the gymnastics, replied patiently and quietly. "Listen, friend Balo, and learn. I neither fear that monk, nor do I trust him. However, yekka buliasa nashti beshes pe done grastende," he said in Romani, - 'with one bottom you cannot sit on two horses' - meaning, you cannot have it both ways. "The monk could be lying to us and trying to lead us into a trap, or he truly has need of our services, and is willing to pay a large price, in gold. It cannot be both. But it is wise to take precautions."
He noticed a woman with a small child watching the display and went over to her.
"Mother," he said to her in a soft, non-threatening voice, "I could not help noticing that your child is suffering from milk-crust of the scalp. If you will permit this intrusion, I think I can help you. Here, for a modest sum, I can sell you a drachm of fumitory, which you may know as Taubenkropp, that has extraordinary powers when it comes to disorders of the skin."
Within moments he had done his deal, and moved away.
"If the monk was playing us false," he went on, looking for his next customer, "it was wise to leave Brno for a time, and the spring Slet here in the Pavlovske vrchy is as good a place as any to wait and earn a few guilders. If, however, the monk is indeed prepared to pay for a performance, part of the deal was that we should not be seen around Brno. For some reason this would spoil his plans. Leaving Brno both keeps us safe and out of sight until it is time to return. It was a good idea to come here, I like the wine, and I always liked the Southern Moravians, they have so many diseases. Look at that one over there, come."