“’Tis so,” said William quietly.

“Well, now he is going to pay for it.”

“You think so?”

“Wait and see, Mynheer.”

William smiled.

“I have been waiting to see—for a long while.”

“Then you are for the Prince too;” the fisherman expressed a stolid satisfaction.

“I am for my country,” replied William evasively, “and that is a bigger question.… It is not the Grand Pensionary or the Prince … but our freedom or our downfall.”

“William of Orange will save us,” repeated the fisherman.

William smiled, half bitterly.