At that moment the door opened without a warning knock and Louis Van Ramm stepped across the threshold. For a moment the master and servant remained where they were without moving. The patroon sat in his great leather chair. In front of him was a table strewn with papers. A decanter of wine with a tray of glasses stood in the center, and lying close at hand, his long, sharp pointed sword. Within a yard of the door, glowering across the intervening table, was the sullen figure of the white-haired dwarf. “Well,” said the patroon viciously after two minutes of this strained silence. “Well,” echoed the dwarf. “What do you come here for?” “Money.” “State your errand,” he cried, starting up in anger. “That is easily done,” answered the dwarf, doggedly, at the same time taking a cautious step or two forward. “Do not get impetuous,” he continued with a sneer. “I have written out all that I know and have left the writing with my friends. I have come to ask what you will give me not to have the seals broken.” If Louis had expected to find his master a prey to one of his usual fits of rage, he was disappointed. In a moment the patroon had overcome his first outbreak and smiled, leaning back upon the arm of his chair; then he dropped his hand cautiously on the table near the hilt of his sword. “Now hearken, Kilian Van Volkenberg,” Louis began in an insolent tone. “I know why the Red Band is in the fort, and I know why William Kidd came here last night.” The patroon had shown no emotion at the mention of the first of these facts, but the second seemed to startle him. “So you were somewhere near about after all, were you?” “I was in the bottom of the sideboard last night, and heard you discuss all your plans.” “You lie,” said the patroon, yet he was calm withal. I could see the shadow of fear in his face, but he gave no sign of it by word or act. “Louis Van Ramm, you lie in your throat.” “Perhaps, but I have written out the full account of all I heard, and my friends will break the seals at noon unless—” “Unless what?” for Louis paused. “Unless you pay me a thousand pounds.” “I could pay that, you fool, but I know you lie.” The master’s voice was wavering and I knew he believed what he denied with so much confidence. “This tale does not take me in. It is impossible. You could not have overheard, and if you did there is nothing I would not be willing to have published.” The dwarf looked at him in contempt. For a moment I doubted whether he really had any proof. It might all be a skilful lie to blackmail the patroon. But not so! Louis raised his finger slowly, pointing at his master. His mouth opened, but he waited maliciously before he spoke, as if he knew well the fatal result of his next word. Then he snapped out suddenly, “Jacques.”