"The outrage was very cleverly carried out, so I've heard said; and it was not until close upon midnight that the scouts sent out by Mynheer Beresteyn in every direction came back with the report that the brigands left the city by the Groningen gate and were no doubt well on their way north by then." "And what was done after that?" "I have not heard yet," replied Hals. "It is still early. When the serving woman comes she will tell us the latest news. I am afraid I can't get to work until the light improves. Are you hungry? Shall I get you something more solid to eat?" "Well, old friend," rejoined the other gaily, "since you are so hospitable...." By eight o'clock he was once more ensconced on the sitter's platform, dressed in a gorgeous doublet and sash, hat on head and hand on hip, smiling at his friend's delight and eagerness in his work. Hals in the meanwhile had heard further news of the great event which apparently was already the talk of Haarlem even at this early hour of the day. "There seems no doubt," he said, "that the outrage is the work of those vervloekte sea-wolves. They have carried Gilda Beresteyn away in the hope of extorting a huge ransom out of her father." "I hope," said Diogenes unctuously, "that he can afford to pay it." "He is passing rich," replied the artist with a sigh. "A great patron of the arts ... it was his son you saw here yesterday, and the portrait which I then showed you was that of the unfortunate young lady who has been so cruelly abducted." "Indeed," remarked Diogenes ostentatiously smothering a yawn as if the matter was not quite so interesting to him--a stranger to Haarlem--as it was to his friend. "The whole city is in a tumult," continued Hals, who was busily working on his picture all the while that he talked, "and Mynheer Beresteyn and his son Nicolaes are raising a private company of Waardgelders to pursue the brigands. One guilder a day do they offer to these volunteers and Nicholaes Beresteyn will himself command the expedition." "Against the sea-wolves?" queried the other blandly. "In person. Think of it, man! The girl is his own sister." "It is unthinkable," agreed Diogenes solemnly.