"Seeing I must choose, ransom; but rate me not too high, I am a
poor man."

They laughed immoderately.

"We have borrowed a hint from the outlaws, and unless thy brethren
pay for thee soon, we will send thy worthless body to them in
installments, first one ear, then the other, and so on."

"Our Lady help me!"

"Brother, be patient. Heaven will help us, since there is no help
in man," said Martin. "And now, Drogo, whom I knew so well of old,
and in whom I see little change, what is thy charge against me?"

"A very serious one, brother Martin, and one I grieve to bring
against such an eloquent preacher of the Gospel, but my conscience
compels me."

"Thy conscience!"

"Yes, I can afford to keep one as well as thou. Dost thou think
thou art the only creature who has a soul to be saved?"

"Go on without further blasphemies."

"Well then, I grieve to say that it is my painful duty to arrest
thee on a charge of murder."

"Of murder!" cried all three.