But neither de Landas nor his friends troubled themselves any further about Sancho once the latter was out of their sight. They were too intent on their own affairs to give a thought to the susceptibilities of a down-at-heel outlaw whom they were paying to do dirty work for them.
'We could not have found a more useful fellow for our purpose than Sancho,' was de Landas' complacent comment.
'A reliable rascal, certainly,' assented Maarege. 'But it is not easy to get out of the city without a safe-conduct these days.'
'Bah! Sancho will manage it.'
'He might get a musket-shot for his pains.'
'That would not matter,' rejoined de Landas with a cynical laugh, 'so long as his tongue is silenced at the same time.'
'Yes, silenced,' urged one of the others; 'but in that event our message would not be delivered to the Duke of Parma.'
'We must risk something.'
'And yet must make sure of the message reaching the Duke. We want as little delay as possible.'
'If food gets short here our own position will be none too pleasant. These Flemings seem to think that the churls have just as much right to eat as their betters.'