"Would to God," said the man whom they called Leatherface, "that I could do more for you than the little which I have done. To each of you last night I gave the same warning: ’Danger is nigh! terrible! imminent! for our plans are discovered and the presence of the Prince of Orange in Ghent known to the Duke of Alva! Let all those who wish to do so leave the city at once with their wives and children, for death and torture threatens those who remain!’" "As you see, my dear friend," said Lievin van Deynse, the wealthy brewer, quietly, "not one of us hath followed this portion of your advice." "You are all brave men and noble sons of Flanders," quoth Leatherface earnestly. "His Highness is proud of you, he believes in you, he trusts you. A cause which has such men as you for its champions and defenders is assured of victory." A murmur of satisfaction went round the room, and Leatherface resumed after a little while: "In the meanwhile, with the help of God, the precious person of the Prince of Orange is safe." A hearty cheer--quickly suppressed--greeted this announcement from every side. "Unfortunately," continued Leatherface, "I could not persuade His Highness to leave the city early this morning. He would not believe in the danger which was threatening him.... He would not believe that his plans and his presence here had been betrayed." "Yes! betrayed!" now said one of the younger men vehemently, "and by whom? Dost know by whom, friend Leatherface?" And all around the tables, grimly set lips murmured: "By whom? My God! by whom were we betrayed?" And Laurence van Rycke’s glowing eyes were fixed upon the man under the canopy as if he would have torn the mask from off his face and read in those mysterious eyes the confirmation of his own horrible fears. And Leatherface, looking straight into Laurence’s pale and haggard face, said slowly: "By one who hath already paid the full price for all the misery which that betrayal will bring in its wake." "Dead?" came in awed yet eager query from most of them there. Leatherface bent his head, but gave no direct reply, and all of them there were satisfied, for they believed that the faithful and wary watch-dog--justiciary as well as guardian angel--had discovered the betrayer, and had killed him, making him pay the "full price" for all the misery which he had brought about. Only Laurence hung his head and dared not ask any more. II "And now tell us about the Prince," urged Messire van Overbeque, the Vice-Bailiff. "Where is he now?"