The Polander waited eagerly for his Part in this.
“It is Esquire Thynne of Longleat Hall,” continued the Captain, “a Great Jolly English Gentleman and a Notable Rake at Court–a man very Rich and splendid–he will be riding along the Mall to-morrow on his way to Church and it is we three who must stop him.”
With that he took a Blunderbuss from the wall and laid it in the great Hands of the Polander.
“As you love me,” he said earnestly, “you will put some bullet into this Tom Thynne.”
The Polander stared at the weapon and at his Master, then went on his knees, very Pale in his Countenance.
“This is plain Murder,” he answered, very troubled, “and I have Lived an Innocent Life, even at the war, twenty crowns would pay for all I took in Plunder and I have been Compassionate, nor given to Treachery or Swearing—”
“I ask you to do no Wrong,” said Vratz, “only to Obey your Master–If a man will not Duel how can one Come at him but this Way?”
“It is a Just thing,” added Stern, “to obey those we have an Obligation to–and I am Pledged to you, yet I am willing to be Instructed in the Laws of England to discover what Penalty one must Pay for this—”
“Why, None,” replied the Captain, “for we will leave the Country by the first pair of oars going to Gravesend, and should we be taken–first we have a friend in that Noble Prince, the Count of Conningsmarke, and secondly, all will fall on me as the Principal and none on you as the Agents or mere Engines of my Will–And Afterwards,” he added, “you shall be Rich Men.”
“Not for Money,” said the Polander sadly. “I would rather spend my Days with Horses than the Rich. I would sooner die Old and Comfortable than in Prison in a Strange Country–but I have promised to serve you and if God does not directly tell me it is a Sin I will do this for you.”