"Indeed it is, and therefore none too difficult. Having drawn the lady into the shadow by thy talk, contrive to speak to her, telling her of thy troubles. If anything occurs after that to surprise or mayhap frighten thee, pay no heed to it, but take at once to thy heels and run straight home here, without looking to right or left. No one will molest thee, I give thee my word." "I understand!" she reiterated once more. "And wilt thou do as I ask?" "Of course. My life is thine; thou didst save it twice. Thou hast but to command and I will obey." "We'll call it that," he said lightly, "since it seems to please thee. To-night then at seven o'clock, I too, will be on the spot to place the fifty guilders in thy hand." "Fifty guilders!" she exclaimed almost with ecstasy, and pressed her hands to her breast. "My father and I need not starve or be homeless the whole of this winter." "Thou'lt make tracks for Spain very soon," he rejoined carelessly, for he had accomplished his business and was making ready to go. She threw him a strange look, half defiant yet almost reproachful. "Perhaps!" she said curtly. He took leave of her in his usual pleasant, airy manner, smiling at her earnestness and at her looks that reminded him of a starving dog which he had once picked up in the streets of Prague and kept and fed for a time, until he found it a permanent home. When he gave the dog away to some kindly people who promised to be kind to it, it threw him, at parting, just such a look as dwelt in the dark depths of this girl's eyes now. The old cripple on the bed had fallen into a torpor-like sleep. Diogenes cast a compassionate glance on him. "Thou canst take him to better quarters in a day or two," he said, "and mayhap give him some good food.... Dondersteen!" he exclaimed suddenly, "what art doing, girl?" She had stooped and kissed his hand. He drew it away almost roughly, but at the timid look of humble apology which she raised to him, he said gently: "By St. Bavon thou'rt a funny child! Well? what is it now?" he asked, for she stood hesitating before him, with a question obviously hovering on her lips. "I dare not," she murmured. "Art afraid of me then?" "A little." "Yet there is something thou desirest to ask?" "Yes." "What is it? Quickly now, for I must be going." She waited for a moment or two trying to gain courage, whilst he watched her, greatly amused. "What is it?" he reiterated more impatiently. Then a whispered murmur escaped her lips. "The lady?" "Yes. What of her?" "Thou dost love her?" she stammered, "and wilt abduct her to-night because of thy love for her?"