sent are coming upon it."

"It needs no witch to tell us that, mother," observed A'Dale. "When
Duke Alva finds that he can so easily fill his coffers by murdering his
loving subjects, he is not likely to end his system, until he has no
more subjects worth murdering."

The old woman gave a keen, quick glance up at A'Dale.

"Those are dangerous words to speak, young master," she observed. "It
is well that my walls have no ears; but if a Netherlander were to utter
them, I would not answer for the consequences."

I could not understand Dame Trond's character. That she was an impostor
I had no doubt. She certainly was not an adherent of the Church of
Rome, and still more certainly she had no knowledge of Christianity. I
am afraid she was like others, who found it profitable to impose on
their fellow-creatures in spite of all consequences. Yet she was
apparently kind-hearted, and possessed some of the milk of human nature,
though it might turn rather acid at times. When we bade her farewell,
she hobbled after us to the door, again thanking us for our liberality,
and praying that we might be protected from all dangers.

Having thus far satisfactorily performed our mission, we turned once
more to the North Gate of the city. We were again surprised by the
number of persons we saw emerging from the gate; as we passed through
it, we observed the guard as usual standing at their posts, and not
seeming in any way disposed to interrupt them. I remarked, however,
among them two or three men I knew, and whom I had always felt sure were
strong Protestants. They saluted us as we passed. One of them,
stepping forward, whispered to me, "Hasten on without delay!"

I thanked the man, and we took the hint, walking rapidly forward to the
place Captain Radford had appointed. I now became very anxious for him
and Aveline and Master Overton, fearing lest by waiting for us they
might become involved in the dangers to which the fugitives would too
likely be exposed. Shortly afterwards, as we looked back, we saw the
people behind us increasing their speed, and in a short time the very
guard we had left at the gate overtook us. Seeing the man who had
spoken to me, I asked him what had occurred.

"Taking advantage of the absence of the soldiers in the citadel, we
surprised the Spanish guard at the gate," he answered, "and occupying
their post, allowed our friends to go through. We have left the
Spaniards bound in the guardroom.