Page:The black tulip (IA 10892334.2209.emory.edu).pdf/243

 on the step, was still giving some orders, he whispered to Van Baerle,—

“Condemned prisoners have sometimes been taken to their own town, to be made an example of, and they have then been executed before the door of their own house. It’s all according to circumstances.”

Cornelius thanked him by signs, and then said to himself,—

“Well, here is a fellow, who never misses giving consolation whenever an opportunity presents itself. In truth, my friend, I’m very much obliged to you. Goodbye.”

The carriage drove away.

“Ah! you villain, you brigand,” roared Gryphus clenching his fists at the victim, who was escaping from his clutches; “is it not a shame that this fellow. gets off, without having restored my daughter to me?”

“If they take me to Dort,” thought Cornelius, “I shall see, in passing my house, whether my poor borders have been much spoiled.”

  carriage rolled on during the whole day; it passed on the right of Dort, went through Rotterdam, and reached Delft. At five o’clock in the evening, at least twenty leagues had been travelled.

Cornelius addressed some questions to the officer, who was at the same time his guard and his companion; but, cautious as were his inquiries, he had the disappointment of receiving no answer.

Cornelius regretted that he had no longer by his side that chatty soldier, who would talk without being questioned.

That obliging person would, undoubtedly, have given