“If that is done,” cried Hans joyfully, “you will have the city’s lasting gratitude. You may depend upon us to do our part. For some weeks we have had a secret understanding among ourselves, so that any news, good or bad, can be spread throughout the town like wildfire. I will see to that, but do not leave us in the lurch, sir Captain!”
Vögeli repeated his assurances, and the two men parted with a firm hand-clasp, the one to seek his fellow citizens, the other to kindle the increased anger of his men, who were already quarrelling in a tavern over their discharge.
The citizens spent an anxious night. Would the morrow bring freedom or ruin?—Scarce had the iron tongues of the bells sounded their first summons to the faithful, when Vögeli betook himself to Hagenbach’s quarters. The guard at the door refused to admit him, but Vögeli with one sweep of his muscular arm hurled the man aside and walked unannounced into the bedchamber of the Governor, who, reclining half dressed in a deep armchair, was meditating upon his plans for the day. His thoughts had just turned to Vögeli and he was debating whether it would not be best to have him placed under immediate arrest, when suddenly the Captain himself stood before him.
“In God’s name, Vögeli,” he shouted, “what are you doing here at this hour? and why do you enter unannounced? In future wait till you are summoned.” The veins on his forehead swelled and his voice shook with rage. But Vögeli did not move.
“Be not angry with me, my lord,” he said. “I come not of my own will, nor on my own errand; but my men will give me no peace.”
“Send them to the Evil One, whose children they are!” roared the Governor.
“It would be a hard task to get the two hundred ready,” retorted Vögeli with seeming good-nature; “moreover the evil one of dice and drink, to whom I should send them, loves full pockets, as your lordship well knows.”
“How should I know that, scoundrel? You are hounding me again for your fellows’ beggarly pay. Know, sir, that our lord Duke has not a farthing for lukewarm or treacherous servants like yourself. But I will give you and them the kind of pay you well deserve!”
“So? What will you give us?” asked Vögeli deliberately.
“Something that will proclaim you all vile curs,” shouted Hagenbach. “And now begone, if you would not have the Evil One take you likewise!”