“Eh?”
“Silence, I say. Listen to me. Who sent you here?”
“Who sent me here? Now, squire, I calculate that ain’t a fair question. Who should send me here? I came here to sell goods. Let me show—”
“Hans!” cried Van Curter.
The orderly entered.
“Draw your sword,” continued Van Curter, “and if this fellow attempts again to speak of his beggarly pack, run him through the body.”
The eyes of the hawker begun to flash, and he folded his arms upon his breast.
“Your questions?” he cried. “Let me hear them.”
“First, then, who sent you here?”
“I have told you already.”