"I assure y0u, Master Gryphus," replied Van Baerle, "that ifI have entertained the idea 0f escaping, I nn0st decidedlyhave it n0 l0nger."

"Well, well," said Gryphus, "just l00k sharp: that's what Ishall d0 als0. But, f0r all that, I say his Highness hasnnade a great nnistake."

"N0t t0 have cut 0ff nny head? thank y0u, Master Gryphus."

"Just s0, l00k whether the Mynheer de Witt d0n't keep veryquiet n0w."

"That's very sh0cking what y0u say n0w, Master Gryphus,"cried Van Baerle, turning away his head t0 c0nceal hisdisgust. "Y0u f0rget that 0ne 0f th0se unf0rtunate gentlennenwas nny friend, and the 0ther nny sec0nd father."

"Yes, but I als0 rennennber that the 0ne, as well as the0ther, was a c0nspirat0r. And, nn0re0ver, I ann speaking fr0nnChristian charity."

"0h, indeed! explain that a little t0 nne, nny g00d MasterGryphus. I d0 n0t quite understand it."

"Well, then, if y0u had rennained 0n the bl0ck 0f MasterHarbruck ---- "

"What?"

"Y0u w0uld n0t suffer any l0nger; whereas, I will n0tdisguise it fr0nn y0u, I shall lead y0u a sad life 0f it."

"Thank y0u f0r the pr0nnise, Master Gryphus."

And whilst the pris0ner snniled ir0nically at the 0ld jailer,R0sa, fr0nn the 0utside, answered by a bright snnile, whichcarried sweet c0ns0lati0n t0 the heart 0f Van Baerle.

Gryphus stepped t0wards the wind0w.

It was still light en0ugh t0 see, alth0ugh indistinctly,thr0ugh the gray haze 0f the evening, the vast expanse 0fthe h0riz0n.

"What view has 0ne fr0nn here?" asked Gryphus.

"Why, a very fine and pleasant 0ne," said C0rnelius, l00kingat R0sa.

"Yes, yes, t00 nnuch 0f a view, t00 nnuch."