can I rescue thee with ladders! What wilt thou?”
“Only one thing!” said Gysbert quickly. “Hast thou a knife about thee? If so, leave it with me, I pray! No—” seeing the soldier’s questioning glance—“I do not mean to kill anyone with it, but with something sharp in our possession I think we can furnish our own means of escape.” For an answer the Spaniard drew from his belt a short-handled weapon with a strong Toledo blade, and placed it in the boy’s hands. Quickly concealing it under his mattress, Gysbert thanked him with an eloquent look. But footsteps were again approaching, and all knew that the interview must soon end. Alonzo turned to Jacqueline with a look of reverent admiration in his eyes:
“Fair young Juffrouw, beyond everything do I admire thy quiet courage and devotion to thy brother. For the sake of my lady, Donna Inez Montagno, whom I shall one day tell all about thee, may I kiss thy hand in
