new faith. In a
short time he will trust you, and if he attends any place of meeting
where the Protestants meet, you can introduce me among them. I can
disguise myself so that they shall not know me, and I may then not only
mark him, but all others who may be present, and inform against them as
may be most convenient."

CHAPTER THREE.

CASPAR PROFESSES THE PROTESTANT FAITH--ATTENDS A MEETING--EFFECT OF THE
GOSPEL ON CASPAR--CASPAR, HOWEVER, KEEPS HIS ENGAGEMENT WITH FATHER
QUIXADA--DOUBTS AND FEARS--THE MONK ATTENDS THE NEXT MEETING, AND NOTES
ALL PRESENT--CASPAR'S REMORSE--THE SPY AGAIN IN THE LITTLE COMPANY--
CASPAR WARNS THE INTENDED VICTIMS--TOO LATE--FATHER AND DAUGHTER IN THE
HANDS OF THE INQUISITION--CONDEMNED--CASPAR DESPAIRS OF THE RESULT OF
HIS WORK--CONSULTS THE FERRYMAN--BUT NEW PLANS FAIL.

Caspar did not at first like this plan. It was treacherous and
deceitful, and he must act the part of a spy and a hypocrite to carry it
out; but as it was proposed to him by his father confessor, he came to
the conclusion that he ought not to hesitate about it.

The merchant Hopper was surprised a few days after this to receive a
visit from Caspar Gaill. The young man told him that he had abandoned
all hopes of winning his daughter's hand; indeed, he thought of quitting
the country. He confessed that he had of late taken every opportunity
of examining the new doctrines, and that he was acquainted enough with
them to make him desire to go to England, where he might study them more
freely, and with greater safety. "I know not what your opinions may be,
Mr Hopper, but I am very sure that you will not mention mine to any one
else."

The merchant was generally cautious, but the young man's apparent
frankness threw him greatly off his guard. Caspar, urged on by Father
Quixada, persevered, and at length fully persuaded the merchant Hopper
that he was a convert to the Protestant faith. A private meeting of
Protestants was to take place, and Caspar entreated that he might be
allowed to be present. The merchant no longer hesitated. At the
meeting prayers were offered up, hymns sung, and the simple Gospel
plainly put before those present. The young man listened attentively in
spite of himself. He there learned that all men are sinners and justly
condemned; that "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten
Son" to suffer instead of sinful man, and to save him from the result of
that determination. He