shaking his head, "but----"

"I saw," she went on in her hoarse voice, "the pair of them read the
Bible."

"How shocking!" replied Montalvo with a simulated shudder. "Think of
it, my orthodox friend, if you are to be believed, these two persons,
hitherto supposed to be respectable, have been discovered in the crime
of consulting that work upon which our Faith is founded. Well, those
who could read anything so dull must, indeed, as the edicts tell us, be
monsters unworthy to live. But, if you please, your proofs. Of course
you have this book?"

Then Black Meg poured forth all her tale--how she had watched and seen
something, how she had listened and heard little, how she had gone to
the secret panel, bending over the sleeping man, and found--nothing.

"You are a poor sort of spy, mother," commented the captain when she had
done, "and, upon my soul, I do not believe that even a Papal inquisitor
could hang that young fellow on your evidence. You must go back and get
some more."

"No," answered Black Meg with decision, "if you want to force your way
into conventicles you had best do it yourself. As I wish to go on living
here is no job for me. I have proved to you that this young man is a
heretic, so now give me my reward."

"Your reward? Ah! your reward. No, I think not at present, for a reward
presupposes services--and I see none."

Black Meg began to storm.

"Be silent," said Montalvo, dropping his bantering tone. "Look, I will
be frank with you. I do not want to burn anybody. I am sick of all this
nonsense about religion, and for aught I care every Netherlander in
Leyden may read the Bible until he grows tired. I seek to marry that
Jufvrouw Lysbeth van Hout, and to do this I desire to prove that the man
whom she loves, Dirk van Goorl, is a heretic. What you have told me may
or may not be sufficient for my purpose. If it is sufficient you shall
be paid liberally after my marriage; if not--well, you have had enough.
As for your evidence, for my part I may say that I do not believe a word
of it, for were it true you would have brought the Bible."

As he spoke he rang a bell which stood upon a table, and before Meg
could answer the soldier appeared.

"Show this good woman out," he said, adding, in a loud voice, "Mother, I
will do my best for you and forward your petition to the proper quarter.
Meanwhile, take this trifle in charity," and he pressed a florin into
her hand. "Now, guard, the prisoners, the prisone