“Tell it me,” said Elsa.

And she told it while the girl listened with clasped hands.

“Oh! it was brave, brave,” she murmured.  “Red Martin forcing to the door and Foy, weak and wounded, slaying the warder.  Was there ever such a story?”

“Men are brave and desperate with the torture pit behind them,” answered Martha grimly; “but they did well, and now they are safe with me where no Spaniard can find them unless they hunt in great companies after the ice forms and the reeds are dead.”

“Would that I could be there also,” said Elsa, “but I tend his mother who is very sick, so sick that I do not know whether she will live or die.”

“Nay, you are best here among your people,” answered Martha.  “And now that the Spaniards are driven out, here Foy shall return also so soon as it is safe for him to travel; but as yet he cannot stir, and Red Martin stays to watch him.  Before long, however, he must move, for I have tidings that the Spaniards are about to besiege Haarlem with a great army, and then the Mere will be no longer safe for us, and I shall leave it to fight with the Haarlem folk.”

“And Foy and Martin will return?”

“I think so, if they are not stopped.”

“Stopped?”—­and she put her hand upon her heart.

“The times are rough, Jufvrouw Elsa.  Who that breathes the air one morning can know what breath will pass his nostrils at the nightfall?  The times are rough, and Death is king of them.  The hoard of Hendrik Brant is not forgotten, nor those who have its key.  Ramiro slipped through my hands to-night, and doubtless by now is far away from Leyden seeking the treasure.”

“The treasure!  Oh! that thrice accursed treasure!” broke in Elsa, shivering as though beneath an icy wind; “would that we were rid of it.”

“That you cannot be until it is appointed, for is this not the heritage which your father died to save?  Listen.  Do you know, lady, where it lies hid?” and she dropped her voice to a whisper.

Elsa shook her head, saying: 

“I neither know nor wish to know.”

“Still it is best that you should be told, for we three who have the secret may be killed, every one of us—­no, not the place, but where to seek a clue to the place.”

Elsa looked at her questioningly, and Martha, leaning forward, whispered in her ear: 

“It lies in the hilt of the Sword Silence.  If Red Martin should be taken or killed, seek out his sword and open the hilt.  Do you understand?”

Elsa nodded and answered, “But if aught happens to Martin the sword may be lost.”

Martha shrugged her shoulders.  “Then the treasure will be lost also, that is if I am gone.  It is as God wills; but at least in name you are the heiress, and you should know where to find its secret, which may serve you or your country in good stead in time to come.  I give you no paper, I tell you only where to seek a paper, and now I must be gone to reach the borders of the Mere by daybreak.  Have you any message for your love, lady?”