Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/213

 thought his capture certain, he slipped from my grasp. He must be in league with the devil, for he has the faculty of making himself invisible at any time.”

“Enough of this!” said the Jesuit impatiently. “Make no more excuses, but come to the point in hand. Why are you here to-night?”

“To tell you that the Huguenot preacher is arrested, and to-morrow he dies.”

The stern look on the priest’s face changed to one of satisfaction.

“This is good news indeed, Swarte! You are pardoned for your long silence and your delay in executing my command. Receive your reward,” he continued, handing the man a bag of florins. “Continue your faithful services to the Church and you shall receive ample compensation in this world’s goods. Go, my son, and my blessing attend your steps.”

The soldier departed with a smiling face.

Hugo Berlaymont was sitting in his uncle’s library, his head bowed with grief, and the tears coursing down his cheeks at the news which Fritz had brought him of the capture of Junius and his execution on the morrow.

“It cannot be, it must nat be!” said Hugo between his sobs. "My dear pastor shall not die like a felon. I will plead with my uncle for his life.”