“Traitor!” shouted Tichelaer.
“Do you dare use that word to me?” answered John de Witt. “Had all done their duty as I did not a town had been lost——Give me a sword,” he added. “Some weapon——”
Tichelaer gathered courage to strike him with the end of his musket.
“God has overtaken you!” he yelled.
John de Witt held up his mantle to protect himself.
“You dare to take the name of God?” he answered. “You have long since denied Him by your villanies.”
As he spoke he saw Cornelius raise clasped hands to heaven as he was thrust violently on to his knees.
“Let me get to my brother!—I could yet make this little room glorious——”
“Do not finish them here!” cried Verhoef. “Take the ruffians to the gibbet!”