“Yes,” they said.
“Do you think there are one or two among these constables whom it would be safe to release for our service?”
“There are two,” they said, “Niklaes and Joos by name, who have never as yet been guilty of persecuting the poor Reformers.”
“You can trust us!” said Niklaes and Joos.
“Very well then,” said Ulenspiegel. “Here are twenty caroluses for you, twice as much, that is, as you would have got for an act of shameful betrayal.” And at that the other five constables cried out as one man:
“Twenty florins! We will serve the Prince for twenty florins. The King’s pay is bad. Only give us half as much and we will tell the judge any tale you please.” But Lamme and the butchers kept muttering under their breath:
“’T is van te beven de klinkaert. ’T is van te beven de klinkaert.”
“In order that you may be kept from too much talking,” Ulenspiegel continued, “the seven will lead you in handcuffs to Peteghen, and there you will be given over into the hands of the Beggarmen. The florins will be handed to you at sea, and if you prove brave in battle you will have your share of the spoil. If you attempt to desert you will be hanged.”
“We will serve him who pays us,” they said.
“’T is van te beven de klinkaert! ’T is van te beven de klinkaert,” murmured the seven.