ged, sent from Brussels to look into the religious condition of
Brill. The bishop and Father Quixada were of kindred spirit. The
former held an important office in the Holy Inquisition, and felt no
compunction, but on the contrary, considerable satisfaction, at sending
a dozen of his fellow-creatures to suffer death by drowning, or burning,
because they might differ from him on a few theological points. Father
Quixada explained the plan he had adopted, and received the warm
approval of his superior.

It was late at night. The fair Gretchen was about to retire to her
room. The merchant had been engaged at his books and accounts. He had
been collecting such property as he could put into a portable form, and
had made up his mind to leave Brill forthwith for England. He had
communicated his intentions to Peter Kopplestock, who highly approved of
them, and had engaged to put him on board a vessel the following morning
by daybreak. There was a knock at the door. The merchant himself,
attended by Barbara the housekeeper, went with a light to open it. A
figure wrapped in a cloak was standing there.

"Admit me for a moment," said the stranger. "I come to warn you of
danger."

He entered, and the light held by Barbara fell on the features of Caspar
Gaill.

"I come to entreat you to fly immediately. Even now I may be too late.
The officers of the Inquisition are already proceeding through the city,
to capture certain suspected persons. You are among them. I dare not
wait another moment; no mercy would be shown me if I was discovered."

The unhappy young man spoke in a low, trembling voice. Tears were in
his eyes; he was pale as death.

Again he hastened forth. He had not dared to confess the whole truth.
The merchant closed the door, and proceeded with yet greater speed with
his preparations. He sent Barbara to Gretchen's room to tell her to
prepare for flight. During the housekeeper's absence there was another
knock at the door. It was repeated with far greater violence when those
without found that it was not opened. After the warning he had
received, the merchant guessed too well who were his visitors. He
hastily concealed the property he was about to carry off, and the other
articles he had prepared for his departure. He then sent Barbara to the
door, who, with unwilling hands, began slowly to withdraw the bolts.

"What is the matter?" she asked; "what are you in such a hurry for? Why
do you thus