H. C. Bailey

“ Gabrielle woke at the noise.
"Let me go, let me go to my father," she said.
"Ah, captain, it's the way of the world," quoth Vermeil, solemnly shaking his head. "’Tis always another——"
"See the lady be taken to the Governor's house," said I sharply.
"Well, and what of Breuthe?" asked Vermeil, as we moved away. "He is moving heaven and earth, and hell too, our good Gaspar. How did your errand prosper?"
"Cordieu! man, let me sleep! You shall hear in the morning."
"As you will," said Vermeil sulkily. "But I should like to know if you went for the girl's sake or the men's." ”

“ The wolf's look—it was never long absent—came back to Alva's face.
"Well, your offer, your offer?" said Vitelli quickly.
"I will open the gates to a party of your men."
"Ah!" Vitelli said, and he smiled, looking sideways at Alva.
"You may go," cried Alva to the lieutenant. "Is that all?" he asked sharply, turning to me.
"The rest comes from you, sir," I answered coolly.
"With a pardon you will be well paid," he snarled.
"I should, of course, request that," I said.
"For yourself and your men," said Vitelli.
"They are good soldiers," I answered; "they would be more use alive." ”

“ Then Vitelli lay back in his chair and licked his lips.
"As you are a heretic, rascal," he began, and coughed a little, "as you are a heretic, I suppose you must be paid for aiding us. Well, you shall be paid." He paused, and whispered to Vitelli.
"A thousand crowns now, six thousand when you open the gates. Do you accept?"
I bowed.
"As soon as it is dark to-morrow I will open the main gate," said I. "I would urge you send at least five hundred men."
"I will send enough," said Alva, with a short laugh. "You may go. Vitelli, give him his hire." ”

“ Worth double to any honest gentleman when he has kissed the roses back into her cheeks." He laid hold of her dress at the collar, tore it, held it open for a moment with a grin at the crowd, and then put it back. ”