H. C. Bailey

“ Trond fell back in his chair with a sigh, and Gabrielle—well, I did not look at Gabrielle. But I glanced from the burgomaster's glaring green eyes to the grim smile on Gaspar's face and then—and then I laughed aloud.
"Have you finished, quite finished, my good Gaspar?" said I. His jaw dropt, and the smile faded.
"Do not trifle with the court!" squeaked the little burgomaster. I looked round again. St. Trond and Gabrielle were both intent on me, and Gabrielle's eyes were round and big with eagerness.
"Oh, the court? Ay, ay, the court!" said I. "Well, in truth you have trifled long enough." ”

“ CHAPTER VI THE BARGAIN OF ALVA But there was to be little sleep for me that night. I went to my quarters, flung off my cloak, and sat. I was not ill-pleased with myself. And the bag of money looked better now Gabrielle had gone. You sneer? Well, I am but a man: and truly I had spoiled the Egyptians. O my honest friends, 'tis we cruel, cunning soldiers who give you the chance to be honest in safety!
A heavy step sounded on the stair, and Gaspar Wiederman flung open the door. ”

“ Trond slowly.
"Call it what you will, it is safety for Breuthe."
"I call it murder," said he.
Gaspar shrugged his shoulders.
"I tell you the town cannot be saved else. It will be saved thus. Cordieu! I know what war means, and I know Alva. I tell you it is the only way!" I cried.
"You think—it will drive him back?" said the burgomaster.
"He must raise the blockade in any case."
St. Trond turned to Gaspar.
"Do you approve too?" he asked.
"Approve? Gott, yes! If we only get enough to kill."
St. Trond shuddered. In despair—I think it was despair—he came to the burgomaster again. ”