rom Mechlin was that everyone in that unhappy town
had been slain by the Spaniards; that further the people of Leyden had
risen and were marching to attack the Gevangenhuis. Out she hurried
again, for when the waters were stormy then Black Meg must go afishing.

Another hour went by, and once more the street door was opened with a
key, to be carefully shut when the visitor had entered.

Simon or Meg, thought Adrian, but as he could not be sure he took the
precaution of hiding himself behind the curtain. The door of the room
opened, and not Meg or Simon, but Ramiro entered. So his opportunity had
come!

The Master seemed disturbed. He sat down upon a chair and wiped his brow
with a silk handkerchief. Then aloud, and shaking his fist in the air,
he uttered a most comprehensive curse upon everybody and everything, but
especially upon the citizens of Leyden. After this once more he lapsed
into silence, sitting, his one eye fixed upon vacancy, and twisting his
waxed moustaches with his hand.

Now was Adrian's chance; he had only to step out from behind the curtain
and run him through before he could rise from his seat. The plan had
great charms, and doubtless he might have put it into execution had not
Adrian's histrionic instincts stayed his hand. If he killed Ramiro thus,
he would never know why he had been killed, and above all things Adrian
desired that he should know. He wanted not only to wreak his wrongs,
but to let his adversary learn why they were wreaked. Also, to do him
justice, he preferred a fair fight to a secret stab delivered from
behind, for gentlemen fought, but assassins stabbed.

Still, as there were no witnesses, he might have been willing to waive
this point, if only he could make sure that Ramiro should learn the
truth before he died. He thought of springing out and wounding him, and
then, after he had explained matters, finishing him off at his leisure.
But how could he be sure of his sword-thrust, which might do too much
or too little? No, come what would, the matter must be concluded in the
proper fashion.

Choosing his opportunity, Adrian stepped from behind the hanging and
placed himself between Ramiro and the door, the bolt of which he shot
adroitly that no one might interrupt their interview. At the sound
Ramiro started and looked up. In an instant he grasped the situation,
and though his bronzed face paled, for he knew that his danger was
great, rose to it, as might have been expected fro