rt here, the Frisian in the shafts for a horse, and the Heer
van Goorl pushing behind. They say that it is laden with ammunition for
the service of their country."

"Then why do they not take it to the Burgomaster, or somebody in
authority?"

"I don't know, but they declare that they will only deliver it to you in
person."

"You are sure of your men, Count? You know," he added, with a smile, "I
have to be careful."

"Quite, they were identified by several of the people in the other
room."

"Then admit them, they may have something to say."

"But, sir, they wish to bring in their cart."

"Very well, let them bring it in if it will come through the door,"
answered the Prince, with a sigh, for his thoughts were far from these
worthy citizens and their cart.

Presently the wide double doors were opened, and Red Martin appeared,
not as he was after the siege of Haarlem, but as he used to be,
well-covered and bland, with a beard even longer and more fiery than
of yore. At the moment he was strangely employed, for across his great
breast lay the broad belly-band of a horse, and by its means, harnessed
between the shafts, he dragged a laden cart covered with an old sail.
Moreover the load must have been heavy, for notwithstanding his strength
and that of Foy, no weakling, who pushed behind, they had trouble in
getting the wheels up a little rise at the threshold.

Foy shut the doors, then they trundled their cart into the middle of
the great room, halted and saluted. So curious was the sight, and so
inexplicable, that the Prince, forgetting his troubles for a minute,
burst out laughing.

"I daresay it looks strange, sir," said Foy, hotly, the colour rising to
the roots of his fair hair, "but when you have heard our story I am not
sure that you will laugh at us."

"Mynheer van Goorl," said the Prince with grave courtesy, "be assured
that I laugh at no true men such as yourself and your servant, Martin
the Frisian, and least of all at men who could hold yonder shot tower
against fifty Spaniards, who could escape out of Haarlem and bring
home with them the greatest devil in Don Frederic's army. It was your
equipage I laughed at, not yourselves," and he bowed slightly first to
the one and then to the other.

"His Highness thinks perhaps," said Martin, "that the man who does
an ass's work must necessarily be an ass," at which sally the Prince
laughed again.

"Sir," said Foy, "I crave your patience for a while, and