ory and walk with him in the
meadows beyond the town.

So while Adrian, lost in dreams, waited in the sitting-room Elsa and
Lysbeth left the house by the side door.

They had paid three of their visits when their path chanced to lead them
past the old town prison which was called the Gevangenhuis. This place
formed one of the gateways of the city, for it was built in the walls
and opened on to the moat, water surrounding it on all sides. In front
of its massive door, that was guarded by two soldiers, a small crowd
had gathered on the drawbridge and in the street beyond, apparently
in expectation of somebody or something. Lysbeth looked at the
three-storied frowning building and shuddered, for it was here that
heretics were put upon their trial, and here, too, many of them were
done to death after the dreadful fashion of the day.

"Hasten," she said to Elsa, as she pushed through the crowd, "for
doubtless some horror passes here."

"Have no fear," answered an elderly and good-natured woman who overheard
her, "we are only waiting to hear the new governor of the prison read
his deed of appointment."

As she spoke the doors were thrown open and a man--he was a well-known
executioner named Baptiste--came out carrying a sword in one hand and a
bunch of keys on a salver in the other. After him followed the governor
gallantly dressed and escorted by a company of soldiers and the
officials of the prison. Drawing a scroll from beneath his cloak he
began to read it rapidly and in an almost inaudible voice.

It was his commission as governor of the prison signed by Alva
himself, and set out in full his powers, which were considerable, his
responsibilities which were small, and other matters, excepting only
the sum of money that he had paid for the office, that, given certain
conditions, was, as a matter of fact, sold to the highest bidder. As
may be guessed, this post of governor of a gaol in one of the large
Netherland cities was lucrative enough to those who did not object to
such a fashion of growing rich. So lucrative was it, indeed, that the
salary supposed to attach to the office was never paid; at least its
occupant was expected to help himself to it out of heretical pockets.

As he finished reading through the paper the new governor looked up,
to see, perhaps, what impression he had produced upon his audience. Now
Elsa saw his face for the first time and gripped Lysbeth's arm.

"It is Ramiro," she whispered, "Ramir