“Yes,” replies the painter slowly, “I do! Alva has made the troops think the pedestal of his statue is his treasure house. Alva did know that Flushing would be captured three days before it fell. Therefore he must have sent Paciotto there with design. I believe you.”
“Then,” says Guy, “take a third of Alva’s gold and help me get it.”
“With all my soul!” answers Oliver enthusiastically. “My share shall be devoted not to myself, but to my country. I’ll make war upon Alva with his own tenth penny tax. But you’re hungry.”
“No, I dined on board ship.” [[139]]
“Oho! a lover’s appetite.”
“Yes. How is she? You have been in Brussels—how is she?”
“Yes, I returned from there but two days ago,” replies the painter, sighing. “I wanted to have a last go at my altar piece before I ran away to the war.”
“You’re going to fight?”
“I must. With all the Netherlands rising up in arms, could I keep from the field? Besides, the hand is getting closer to me. Soon I shall have to fly. Nom de Dieu! that last was a narrow squeak,” continues Oliver, “the day the news came of the taking of Briel by the Sea Beggars.”
“How? Were you in danger?”