“Well, a pigeon is a very dainty morsel, and a man who eats one every day would not starve, I think.” “And how about the fire?” said Gryphus. “Fire! but you know that I’m in league with the devil. Do you think the devil will leave me without fire? Why, fire is his proper element.” “A man, however healthy his appetite may be, would not eat a pigeon every day. Wagers have been laid to do so, and those who made them gave them up.” “Well, but when I am tired of pigeons, I shall make the fish of the Waal and of the Meuse come up to me.” Gryphus opened his large eyes, quite bewildered. “I am rather fond of fish,” continued Cornelius; “you never let me have any. Well, I shall turn your starving me to advantage, and regale myself with fish.” Gryphus nearly fainted with anger and with fright, but he soon rallied, and said, putting his hand in his pocket,-- “Well, as you force me to it,” and with these words he drew forth a clasp-knife and opened it. “Halloa! a knife?” said Cornelius, preparing to defend himself with his stick. Chapter 29. In which Van Baerle, before leaving Loewestein, settles Accounts with Gryphus The two remained silent for some minutes, Gryphus on the offensive, and Van Baerle on the defensive. Then, as the situation might be prolonged to an indefinite length, Cornelius, anxious to know something more of the causes which had so fiercely exasperated his jailer, spoke first by putting the question,-- “Well, what do you want, after all?” “I’ll tell you what I want,” answered Gryphus; “I want you to restore to me my daughter Rosa.” “Your daughter?” cried Van Baerle. “Yes, my daughter Rosa, whom you have taken from me by your devilish magic. Now, will you tell me where she is?” And the attitude of Gryphus became more and more threatening. “Rosa is not at Loewestein?” cried Cornelius. “You know well she is not. Once more, will you restore her to me?” “I see,” said Cornelius, “this is a trap you are laying for me.” “Now, for the last time, will you tell me where my daughter is?” “Guess it, you rogue, if you don’t know it.” “Only wait, only wait,” growled Gryphus, white with rage, and with quivering lips, as his brain began to turn. “Ah, you will not tell me anything? Well, I’ll unlock your teeth!” He advanced a step towards Cornelius, and said, showing him the weapon which he held in his hands,-- “Do you see this knife? Well, I have killed more than fifty black cocks with it, and I vow I’ll kill their master, the devil, as well as them.” “But, you blockhead,” said Cornelius, “will you really kill me?” “I shall open your heart to see in it the place where you hide my daughter.”