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218 thou hast a plan worth considering, out with it, and thou shalt be recompensed accordingly. Dost thou think us willing to sit here all night to split hairs with such as  thou!”

“Not so fast! not so fast, Colonel Borgia!” complained Dirk. “If my plan is worth anything it is worth bargaining for,  and I do not intend to sell it cheaply, I assure you!”

“Jacqueline,” again whispered Gysbert, “there is some dreadful plan afoot! Colonel Borgia is the Spaniard in command of Fort  Lammen, the strongest redoubt against the  city. Listen!—”

“Well, Dirk,” interrupted Valdez, perceiving evidently that it would not do to try bullying this subtle rascal, “tell us then what  is thy price for the service thou dost propose  to render the Spanish army?”

“Fifty thousand florins!” replied Dirk, calmly but firmly.