ugh informed us, was, that they
were to leave the city that very evening. If found within the walls by
daybreak, they would run the risk of being again incarcerated, and
sharing the doom of the numberless Netherlanders put to death by the
Blood Council. A'Dale was anxious to hear what I had done; and, in
spite of the danger he would have to go through, he insisted on aiding
me in the undertaking. But our first care was to see Madam Clough and
Margery placed on board Captain Radford's ship. Some time was occupied
first in collecting all their jewels and other valuables, loaded with
which they bade a hurried adieu to the house they had so long inhabited,
and to their domestics. With as many men as could be spared from the
house, well-armed, we then set forth, lighted by torches, to the Water
Gate, where Captain Radford had his boat waiting. He had a pass ready,
so that the rest of the party had no difficulty in getting through the
gates. Jacob and I, having seen them thus far safely on their way,
turned back, in order to pay our promised visit to the old witch. As we
walked down to the gate, A'Dale told me that he had resolved to return
on shore again at all risks, if there was any work to be done. I
briefly told him the plans for rescuing Aveline. "That will just suit
my taste," he answered. "I would rather, if a blow is to be struck, be
ready to join in the fray."

As soon as Jacob and I had seen my friends through the gates, we
returned into the city, and made the best of our way towards the abode
of Barbara Trond. The door opened as before, and we entered the vaulted
chamber. She was seated, as she had been at the first visit, before her
cauldron, as if busily employed in her incantations. There was,
however, the smell of a rich stew, and I saw a vessel steaming away on
one side of me from which it appeared to proceed. I had little doubt,
therefore, that the old woman was not unmindful of her creature
comforts. It was most likely that she had only put on her cauldron as
our knock was heard at the door. But she would probably be more useful
to us by the information she managed to pick up in the world than by her
sorceries.

"I judge that you are my visitors," she said; and putting aside her
magic wand, she turned round, as if to discuss matters in a
matter-of-fact way.

"Now, my young sir, do you think you possess sufficient courage and
nerve to enter one of the prisons of the Blood Council? If you