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"Gerard stole not the trash; he but took it to spite the burgomaster, who stole his liberty; but he shall answer to the Duke for it, he shall. As for these skins of parchment you keep such a coil about, look in the nearest brook or stye, and 'tis odds but you find them." "Think ye so, mistress? think ye so?" And Dierich's eyes flashed. "Mayhap you know 'tis so."

At the sight of this manoeuvre, Dierich's man lost heart, and, being now full eighty yards behind Gerard, and rather more than that in advance of his nearest comrade, he pulled up short, and, in obedience to Dierich's order, took down his crossbow, levelled it deliberately, and just as the trio were sinking out of sight over the crest of the hill, sent the bolt whizzing among them.

They do tell me he has gone to Italy mayhap you know where that is, for I don't." Dierich's countenance fell lower and lower at this account. There was no flaw in it, A cunninger man than Martin would perhaps have told a lie too many and raised suspicion. But Martin did his task well. He only told the one falsehood he was bade to tell, and of his own head invented nothing.

Then they went on to Margaret's room, and the very sight of it was discouraging it was small and bare, and not a cupboard in it; there was, however, a large fireplace and chimney. Dierich's eye fell on these directly. Here they found the beauty of Sevenbergen sleeping on an old chest not a foot high, and no attempt made to cover it; but the sheets were snowy white, and so was Margaret's own linen.

They came to a rising ground, not sharp, but long; and here youth, and grit, and sober living told more than ever. Ere he reached the top, Dierich's forty years weighed him down like forty bullets. "Our cake is dough," he gasped. "Take him dead, if you can't alive;" and he left running, and followed at a foot's pace.

What make you so far from Tergou?" "Open, and you will know." Martin drew the bolt very slowly, and in rushed Dierich and four more. They let in their companion who was at the back door. "Now, Martin, where is Gerard Eliassoen?" "Gerard Eliassoen? Why, he was here but now!" "Was here?" Dierich's countenance fell. "And where is he now?" "They say he has gone to Italy. Why, what is to do?"

He is leagues away by now, quoth I. Confound that chalk-faced girl! she has outwitted us bearded men; and so I told the burgomaster, but he would not hear reason. A wet jerkin apiece, that is all we shall get, mates, by this job." Martin grinned coolly in Dierich's face. "However," added the latter, "to content the burgomaster, we will search the house." Martin turned grave directly.