said, "this little cousin of ours is richer than many
princes. Yes, with such a dowry princes would be glad to take her in
marriage."

"The fortune is large enough," answered Dirk. "But, oh! what a burden
has Hendrik Brant laid upon our backs, for under this will the wealth is
left, not straight to the lawful heiress, Elsa, but to me and my heirs
on the trusts started, and they are heavy. Look you, wife, the Spaniards
know of this vast hoard, and the priests know of it, and no stone on
earth or hell will they leave unturned to win that money. I say that,
for his own sake, my cousin Hendrik would have done better to accept the
offer of the Spanish thief Ramiro and give him three-fourths and escape
to England with the rest. But that is not his nature, who was ever
stubborn, and who would die ten times over rather than enrich the men
he hates. Moreover, he, who is no miser, has saved this fortune that
the bulk of it may be spent for his country in the hour of her need,
and alas! of that need we are made the judges, since he is called away.
Wife, I foresee that these gems and gold will breed bloodshed and misery
to all our house. But the trust is laid upon us and it must be borne.
Foy, to-morrow at dawn you and Martin will start for The Hague to carry
out the command of your cousin Brant."

"Why should my son's life be risked on this mad errand?" asked Lysbeth.

"Because it is a duty, mother," answered Foy cheerfully, although he
tried to look depressed. He was young and enterprising; moreover, the
adventure promised to be full of novelty.

In spite of himself Dirk smiled and bade him summon Martin.

A minute later Foy was in the great man's den and kicking at his
prostrate form. "Wake up, you snoring bull," he said, "awake!"

Martin sat up, his red beard showing like a fire in the shine of the
taper. "What is it now, Master Foy?" he asked yawning. "Are they after
us about those two dead soldiers?"

"No, you sleepy lump, it's treasure."

"I don't care about treasure," replied Martin, indifferently.

"It's Spaniards."

"That sounds better," said Martin, shutting his mouth. "Tell me about
it, Master Foy, while I pull on my jerkin."

So Foy told him as much as he could in two minutes.

"Yes, it sounds well," commented Martin, critically. "If I know anything
of those Spaniards, we shan't get back to Leyden without something
happening. But I don't like that bit about the women; as likely as not
they will spoil ever