morning on errands of the greatest importance. When this traitor, this Joachim Hansleer, returns I will discharge him straightway for a lying villain who thinks to kill me by his deception. He has been whispering to me this past week, that Leyden had surrendered but that the rest were afraid to tell me!”
“If the great Prince would forgive me for saying it,” replied Gysbert, “I would suggest that he be locked up in close confinement instead, else he will join his companion, Dirk Willumhoog, and plot more wickedness!”
“True, true!” exclaimed the Prince, laughing for the first time in weeks. “Thou art a clever lad to have thought of it. And now tell me thy name. I shall not forget thee.” When Gysbert had told him, he held out his hand:
“Take these ten florins and buy thyself all the food thou canst carry back with thee. Be sure to tell Van der Werf to guard that
