Foy examined it in the faint light, and there, still hooked above the guard, was a single severed finger, a long and skinny finger, to which the point of the sword Silence had played surgeon, and on it a gold ring. “This may be useful,” thought Foy, as he slipped handle and finger into the pocket of his cloak.
Then they all took oars and rowed till presently they drew near a wharf.
“Now, daughters, make ready,” said Hans, and the girls stood up. As they touched the wharf Red Bow bent down and kissed Foy.
“The rest were in play, this is in earnest,” she said, “and for luck. Good-night, companion, and think of me sometimes.”
“Good-night, companion,” answered Foy, returning the kiss. Then she leapt ashore. They never met again.
“You know what to do, girls,” said Hans; “do it, and in three days you should be safe in England, where, perhaps, I may meet you, though do not count on that. Whatever happens, keep honest, and remember me till we come together again, here or hereafter, but, most of all, remember your mother and your benefactor Hendrik Brant. Farewell.”
“Farewell, father,” they answered with a sob, and the boat drifted off down the dark canal, leaving the two of them alone upon the wharf. Afterwards Foy discovered that it was the short sister who walked with Martin that was married. Gallant little Red Bow married also, but later. Her husband was a cloth merchant in London, and her grandson became Lord Mayor of that city.
And now, having played their part in it, these two brave girls are out of the story.
CHAPTER XIV
SWORD SILENCE RECEIVES THE SECRET
For half an hour or more they glided down the canal unmolested and in silence. Now it ran into a broader waterway along which they slid towards the sea, keeping as much as possible under the shadow of one bank, for although the night was moonless a faint grey light lay upon the surface of the stream. At length Foy became aware that they were bumping against the sides of a long line of barges and river boats laden with timber and other goods. To one of these—it was the fourth—the pilot Hans made fast, tying their row-boat to her stern. Then he climbed to the deck, whispering to them to follow.