the pebbles were eggs, and you afraid of breaking them."

"I must speak with him in privacy," said the criminal, despair seeming
to croak in his accent as he uttered the words.

"That may hardly consist with our office, my merry Leap the ladder,"
said Petit Andre, "we know you for a slippery eel of old."

"I am tied with your horse girths, hand and foot," said the criminal.
"You may keep guard around me, though out of earshot--the Archer is your
own King's servant. And if I give you ten guilders--"

"Laid out in masses, the sum may profit his poor soul," said Trois
Eschelles.

"Laid out in wine or brantwein, it will comfort my poor body," responded
Petit Andre. "So let them be forthcoming, my little crack rope."

"Pay the bloodhounds their fee," said Hayraddin to Durward, "I was
plundered of every stiver when they took me--it shall avail thee much."

Quentin paid the executioners their guerdon, and, like men of promise,
they retreated out of hearing--keeping, however, a careful eye on the
criminal's motions. After waiting an instant till the unhappy man should
speak, as he still remained silent, Quentin at length addressed him,
"And to this conclusion thou hast at length arrived?"

"Ay," answered Hayraddin, "it required neither astrologer, or
physiognomist, nor chiromantist to foretell that I should follow the
destiny of my family."

"Brought to this early end by thy long course of crime and treachery?"
said the Scot.

"No, by the bright Aldebaran and all his brother twinklers!" answered
the Bohemian. "I am brought hither by my folly in believing that the
bloodthirsty cruelty of a Frank could be restrained even by what they
themselves profess to hold most sacred. A priest's vestment would have
been no safer garb for me than a herald's tabard, however sanctimonious
are your professions of devotion and chivalry."

"A detected impostor has no right to claim the immunities of the
disguise he had usurped," said Durward.

"Detected!" said the Bohemian. "My jargon was as good as yonder old fool
of a herald's, but let it pass. As well now as hereafter."

"You abuse time," said Quentin. "If you have aught to tell me, say it
quickly, and then take some care of your soul."

"Of my soul?" said the Bohemian, with a hideous laugh. "Think ye a
leprosy of twenty years can be cured in an instant?--If I have a soul,
it hath been in such a course since I was ten years old and more, that
it would take me one month to recal