"I will join you in drinking to Philip, for in truth he is a great monarch and a powerful, and I will also drink to the confusion of all traitors whomsoever they may be." "You are all traitors at heart," one of the Spaniards who had not before spoken, put in. "There is not a native of the Netherlands but would rise against us tomorrow." "I think that is true speaking," said Ned quietly. "There are many traitors in the Netherlands I grant you, but there are others to whom your words can hardly apply." "They are all the same," the soldier said angrily. "Knaves every one of them. However, before we have done with them we will reduce their number." Ned did not reply; but having drank the glass of wine, returned to his seat, and shortly afterwards, when the soldiers began to quarrel among themselves, slipped from the room. The landlord was outside, pacing anxiously up and down. "Are there any more of them in the village?" Ned asked. "Not that I know of," he answered; "and to me it makes no difference. They will stay here swilling my wine all night, and in the morning like enough will set fire to my house before they ride away. I have just sent off my wife and daughters to be out of their reach. As for myself, I am half minded to mix poison with their wine and finish with them." "That would only bring down vengeance upon yourself," Ned said. "Some would probably escape and tell the tale. At any rate, as there are so large a number there would be sure to be inquiry when they were found to be missing, and no doubt they mentioned to some of their friends before they started where they were coming to, and inquiry would be made. You could never get rid of all their bodies. Besides, doubtless others in the village heard them ride up, and know that they have been here; so you could not escape detection. It is better to put up with them." "Yes, if there were only these fellows; but you will see that another party will come, and another, until I am entirely ruined." "If you think that, I would in the morning shut up my house and depart, and not return until these troubles are over." "And then come back and find my house burned down," the innkeeper groaned. "Better that than to see yourself gradually ruined, and perhaps lose your life," Ned said. "There is nowhere to go to," the innkeeper said with a shake of his head. "You might do as many others have done," Ned replied, "and go to Holland, where at least you would be safe."