mind
seemed to be made up.

"Foy van Goorl," he said, "listen to me, and tell your father, my cousin
and executor, what I say, since I have no time to write it; tell him
word for word. You are wondering why I do not let this pelf take its
chance without risking the lives of men to save it. It is because
something in my heart pushes me to another path. It may be imagination,
but I am a man standing on the edge of the grave, and to such I have
known it given to see the future. I think that you will win through with
the treasure, Foy, and that it will be the means of bringing some wicked
ones to their doom. Yes, and more, much more, but what it is I cannot
altogether see. Yet I am quite certain that thousands and tens of
thousands of our folk will live to bless the gold of Hendrik Brant, and
that is why I work so hard to save it from the Spaniards. Also that is
why I ask you to risk your lives to-night; not for the wealth's sake,
for wealth is dross, but for what the wealth will buy in days to come."

He paused a while, then went on: "I think also, cousin, that being, they
tell me, unaffianced, you will learn to love, and not in vain, that dear
child of mine, whom I leave in your father's keeping and in yours. More,
since time is short and we shall never meet again, I say to you plainly,
that the thought is pleasing to me, young cousin Foy, for I have a good
report of you and like your blood and looks. Remember always, however
dark may be your sky, that before he passed to doom Hendrik Brant had
this vision concerning you and the daughter whom he loves, and whom you
will learn to love as do all who know her. Remember also that priceless
things are not lightly won, and do not woo her for her fortune, since,
I tell you, this belongs not to her but to our people and our cause, and
when the hour comes, for them it must be used."

Foy listened, wondering, but he made no answer, for he knew not what to
say. Yet now, on the edge of his first great adventure, these words were
comfortable to him who had found already that Elsa's eyes were bright.
Brant next turned towards Martin, but that worthy shook his red head and
stepped back a pace.

"Thank you kindly, master," he said, "but I will do without the
prophecies, which, good or ill, are things that fasten upon a man's
mind. Once an astrologer cast my nativity, and foretold that I should
be drowned before I was twenty-five. I wasn't, but, my faith! the miles
which I have walked