Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/138

 swerved not to the right hand nor the left, nor slackened his speed, but rode straight on until the Burgomaster's house was reached. He sprang from the saddle, tethered his beast hastily at the gate and rushed up the steps to the door. He rang the bell with such vigor that the butler appeared with a frightened face.

Pushing the servant aside, Conrad rushed into the Burgomaster's sitting-room unannounced. Madam Van Straalen had been weeping, and the magistrate looked old and worn.

"Where is Hilvardine?" demanded the young man.

The Burgomaster arose and eyed the advocate a moment in stern silence. Then he said: "And I ask you, Conrad Chenoweth, where is my daughter?"

"Your daughter, Heer Burgomaster? I know not where she is! Oh, am I too late?"

"My daughter disappeared mysteriously last evening," replied the Burgomaster.

"Perhaps this piece of paper will throw some on the subject," said the young man, handing the Burgomaster the memoranda which he had found in the street of Brussels.

"Holy Virgin!" cried the father in distress. "My child is in the clutches of the Inquisition." He leaned his head on his hand and sobs shook his great frame. It was an agonizing thing to witness