Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/224

 preacher the timid, shrinking nephew of Baron Berlaymont, the captain of the guard shouted, “Ye fools! Will you let both the prisoner and his liberator escape? Shoot him down like a dog, boy though he is!”

The men hesitated to obey this command. Then one of them said, “It is Baron Berlaymont’s nephew. I dare not shoot the lad.”

“Is that so?” said the captain. “Hold, men! I retract my order! Hold, for Jesus’ sake! We will have the matter investigated. There must be some mistake.”

But this last command came too late. A shot rang out on the startled air, and Huge Berlaymont sank lifeless to the ground.

Truly was it said, “Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friend.”