The Ferryman of Brill | Page 6

himself would be the first victim of his
vengeance.
At the intended meeting, not only the merchant Hopper, but his fair
daughter Gretchen was present. Caspar Gaill came also, but how
different were his thoughts to those he had entertained when first he
entered that hall!
He kept looking anxiously round, hoping that the German merchant
might not appear. His heart sank, however, when, just before the
sermon began, the seeming merchant appeared, and was, to human eye,
the most devout of all the congregation. No one joined more heartily in
the hymns of Marot; no one seemed to hang more earnestly on the
words of the speaker. Again were the glorious truths of the Gospel put
forth in simple language. Though the merchant's eyes were fixed on the
speaker, and his countenance beamed with intelligence, his thoughts
were far away, occupied in a plan for capturing the whole of those who
were engaged in worship round him. His quick eye, too, was noting all
who were present. He marked the fair Gretchen, and knew her at once
from being with her father.
"Caspar has not chosen ill, so far as eye is concerned," he said to
himself. "No wonder he raves about the little maiden. He need no
longer have any fears about winning her; she may not love him, but
surely she will rather become his bride than be sent to the stake. Few
girls would prefer burning, or drowning, or hanging, to a young and
gallant husband. Caspar is well-favoured, she will not refuse him; we
will give her the choice."
The meeting was brought to a conclusion. Father Quixada left the hall
with the rest, and after making several turns and twists so as to escape
observation, he took his way to the house where a newly-arrived bishop
lodged, sent from Brussels to look into the religious condition of Brill.
The bishop and Father Quixada were of kindred spirit. The former held

an important office in the Holy Inquisition, and felt no compunction,
but on the contrary, considerable satisfaction, at sending a dozen of his
fellow-creatures to suffer death by drowning, or burning, because they
might differ from him on a few theological points. Father Quixada
explained the plan he had adopted, and received the warm approval of
his superior.
It was late at night. The fair Gretchen was about to retire to her room.
The merchant had been engaged at his books and accounts. He had
been collecting such property as he could put into a portable form, and
had made up his mind to leave Brill forthwith for England. He had
communicated his intentions to Peter Kopplestock, who highly
approved of them, and had engaged to put him on board a vessel the
following morning by daybreak. There was a knock at the door. The
merchant himself, attended by Barbara the housekeeper, went with a
light to open it. A figure wrapped in a cloak was standing there.
"Admit me for a moment," said the stranger. "I come to warn you of
danger."
He entered, and the light held by Barbara fell on the features of Caspar
Gaill.
"I come to entreat you to fly immediately. Even now I may be too late.
The officers of the Inquisition are already proceeding through the city,
to capture certain suspected persons. You are among them. I dare not
wait another moment; no mercy would be shown me if I was
discovered."
The unhappy young man spoke in a low, trembling voice. Tears were in
his eyes; he was pale as death.
Again he hastened forth. He had not dared to confess the whole truth.
The merchant closed the door, and proceeded with yet greater speed
with his preparations. He sent Barbara to Gretchen's room to tell her to
prepare for flight. During the housekeeper's absence there was another
knock at the door. It was repeated with far greater violence when those
without found that it was not opened. After the warning he had received,

the merchant guessed too well who were his visitors. He hastily
concealed the property he was about to carry off, and the other articles
he had prepared for his departure. He then sent Barbara to the door,
who, with unwilling hands, began slowly to withdraw the bolts.
"What is the matter?" she asked; "what are you in such a hurry for?
Why do you thus disturb quiet citizens from their early rest?"
So nervous was she, however, that she could scarcely continue her
interrogations. At length the last bolt was withdrawn, and a party in
dark cloaks and masks were seen at the door.
"Where are your master and his daughter?" asked one of them; "they
must accompany us forthwith."
"My master and his daughter!" asked Barbara, "what can you want with
them at