“Not at all,” whispers Guy. Then he adds savagely: “Shut your chattering teeth till you hear,” and seizing Niklaas’s arm leads him to private converse.
“So you recognized me?” the Englishman says under his breath.
“Yes, but you are dead. The news came months ago to Antwerp that Colonel Guido Amati was killed at the battle on the ice in combat with ‘The First of the English.’ ”
“No, I’ve recovered from my wounds!”
“Then, unfortunate man, if they discover you, a colonel in the Spanish army, here, you’re no better than dead. But I will not betray you,” mutters Bodé Volcker. “You saved my child once, to take her where she is worse off.” Then he cries, wringing his hands: “Save her again, my Mina! She’s in Haarlem, a refugee [[204]]from justice. If they take the city it is her death. You have Alva’s ear, plead with him. You have influence with his daughter, speak to her!”
“That is unnecessary,” answers Guy, “I have saved your daughter already.”
“Saved her? How? Where?
“Right here at the Gilded Tower.”
“Here! In Gods naam! You have saved her? Take me to her, my Mina who was lost—my Mina who is found!”
And the old man, delirious with joy, fondles Guy’s hand and invokes blessings upon him.