Making inquiries, Chester soon discovers the last man who has come in from Haarlem, a wild-eyed wretch, half dazed with fear, for he has just escaped several patrols of Spanish, who hang up or slaughter in some cruel way all they meet.
To their questioning he answers: “Yes, I was in Haarlem—but I’ve escaped with my life—you see—with my life. I saw the smoke of Naarden burning, I heard the wail—”
“But Haarlem!” cuts in Guy. “Answer my questions quick and I will give you money.” For the poor wretch is destitute and dependent upon public alms. “Do you know one Pieter Kies?”
“Of course, one of the town council.”
“Is he there?”
“Yes.”
“Is there staying with him a fair-haired girl, with bright blue eyes?”
“Oh, you mean the sweetheart of the patriot painter, the one they honor in the name of Oliver of Mons.”
This settles the matter. Oliver goes to screaming in his French way: “Nom de Dieu! there’ll be no mercy for her, Mina will be tortured because I love her,” then whispers hoarsely to Guy: “Save her, Englishman! If you call yourself my friend, save her.”
“I’ll do everything man can.” [[174]]