Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/189

 less sagacious. I can find out the plans of the Prince and foil them, which will answer our purpose quite as well as to secure the person of Orange. He is too far away to exert his wonderful influence upon the people, and really at his distance I regard him as comparatively harmless. But you must grant me freedom of action along this line of tactics, else I can accomplish nothing. Grant me this, and I will guarantee to alienate the Prince and his followers."

"Very well. Baron. Consider yourself as endowed with the necessary power. See that you make good use of it, for the authority of God and the supremacy of the King."

"Thanks, your Excellency."

The Baron retired after saluting the Duke.

Alva immediately summoned his confidential adviser, Juan Vargas, and laid the matter before him. "It goes against the grain," said the Duke, "that I am compelled against my better judgment to take this Fleming into my confidence."

"Perhaps he will be able to serve you," returned Vargas.

"That is just the point. He can serve me, and I do not wish to be under obligations to a single Netherlander, good or bad."

"When you are through using him you can easily put him out of the way," suggested Vargas.

"I do not feel so sure of that. If this man were