"Cautin will console himself over the Vagre's escape by seeing the bishopess roast, and the hermit-laborer hang."
"But suppose the Vagre promises to commit the murder but fails in carrying out his part of the bargain?"
"And the twenty gold sous that he will surely expect to receive after the murder is committed?"
"You are right—his cupidity will drive him to the deed and insure his return. But how is his flight to be connived at?"
"You can convene your mahl within two hours. The culprits can be tried and sentenced at one session."
"Yes, that can all be done."
"To-day the trial and sentence—to-morrow the execution. Between now and to-morrow we have the night left. You will have the Vagre led out of the ergastula after dark, and taken to Spatachair, one of my favorites. Leave the rest to me. To-morrow we shall say to the bishop: 'The Vagre has fled'—why do you laugh, Count Neroweg?"
"At that Vagre who will be thinking that he is to gain twenty gold sous, and who will receive instead a hundred blows with an iron bar, and then be quartered."
"As you see, count, your vengeance will lose nothing by the arrangement, while it will insure the success of our plans. Unless I could speedily find a fourth determined man, as the Vagre, there would always be a brother left who might lay claim to my father's kingdom. Answer, are we agreed upon the Vagre's flight?"
"Yes, yes—we are agreed."