of the Inquisition, or a place of incarceration for
particular prisoners. If so, the difficulty of enabling Aveline to
escape would be greatly increased. However, it was something to know
where she was shut up. We walked along as if we would have gone out at
the Water Gate, but at that hour it was closed against us. We therefore
returned, inspecting carefully the building in every direction, avoiding
as much as possible making ourselves conspicuous. Having accomplished
this undertaking, we returned homewards. We found Captain Radford and
Master Clough preparing to set out. But it was necessary to spend some
further time in consultation. The means of liberating our friends were
greatly curtailed by the audacious robbery which had taken place.
Master Clough, however, found that the robbers had not penetrated to one
of his strong boxes, in which the largest portion of his valuables was
kept.

We had still to ascertain where the preacher was imprisoned.

Should it be discovered that he had been a priest, there would be little
hope of his being liberated. We must therefore in his case employ
stratagem or force. I wished to set out with Master Clough, but he
directed me to remain at home and look after the house.

Captain Radford meantime went off to his ship, that he might arrange his
plans with his own crew and the crews of some other ships in the
harbour.

I felt the inaction I was doomed to endure very much. I would far
rather have been engaged in some way or other. I was pacing the room
with uneven steps, after my friends had gone, when Jacob Naas presented
himself.

"I have been thinking, Master Verner, that we may perhaps get some help
from that old woman, Barbara Trond, whom we met out on the heath on the
day of the storm some time back. I saw her only a week ago in Antwerp.
Soon after the Duke Alva arrived, she returned to Antwerp; but, instead
of selling wax tapers and other Popish mummery, finding her calling of
sorceress and witch answer so well in the country, she now pursues it in
the city. Nothing takes place with which she is not acquainted. The
credulity of the Romanists is unbounded, and she finds it pay her well.
Now the gold pieces you bestowed on her when we took shelter in her hut
evidently won her heart, and it is my belief that if anybody can help us
she can; not that I would trust to her heart or her honesty, but far
rather to her avarice. If Master Clough will give me leave to g