Ralph was silent, and Drogo departed with the same ceremonious
politeness, laughing at it in his sleeve.

"Now for the burgher," said he.

A light shone in the dark prison beneath, and the mayor looked into
the face of his fierce young captor.

"What brought thee into my woods, fat beast?"

"I knew not they were thine, or I had perchance not intruded. Now
tell me, lord, at what price I may redeem my error, for I have a
wife and children, to say nothing of apprentices and workmen, who
long sore for me!"

"'When the cat's away the mice will play.'

"They will get on merrily without thee. One question thou must
answer before we let thee go: On what business came ye hither?"

The mayor hesitated.

"S'death, dost keep me waiting? We have a torture chamber close at
hand. Shall I summon the torturers? They will fit thy fat thumbs
with a handsome screw in a moment."

Poor mayor! Martyrdom was not his vocation, and he owned it.

"Nay, it can do no harm. We came to witness the last confession of