Черный тюльпан
The Little Grated Window
ButItellyou,attheveryoutset,itwon’tbesuchaneasymatterforyoutoconspire.Firstofall,youwillhavenobooks,nopaper,andnoconjuringbook.It’sbooksthathelpedMynheerGrotiustogetoff.”
“Iassureyou,MasterGryphus,”repliedVanBaerle,“thatifIhaveentertainedtheideaofescaping,Imostdecidedlyhaveitnolonger.”
“Well,well,”saidGryphus,“justlooksharp:that’swhatIshalldoalso.But,forallthat,IsayhisHighnesshasmadeagreatmistake.”
“Nottohavecutoffmyhead?thankyou,MasterGryphus.”
“Justso,lookwhethertheMynheerdeWittdon’tkeepveryquietnow.”
“That’sveryshockingwhatyousaynow,MasterGryphus,”criedVanBaerle,turningawayhisheadtoconcealhisdisgust.“Youforgetthatoneofthoseunfortunategentlemenwasmyfriend,andtheothermysecondfather.”
“Yes,butIalsorememberthattheone,aswellastheother,wasaconspirator.And,moreover,IamspeakingfromChristiancharity.”
“Oh,indeed!explainthatalittletome,mygoodMasterGryphus.Idonotquiteunderstandit.”
“Well,then,ifyouhadremainedontheblockofMasterHarbruck——”
“What?”
“Youwouldnotsufferanylonger;whereas,Iwillnotdisguiseitfromyou,Ishallleadyouasadlifeofit.”
“Thankyouforthepromise,MasterGryphus.”
Andwhilsttheprisonersmiledironicallyattheoldjailer,Rosa,fromtheoutside,answeredbyabrightsmile,whichcarriedsweetconsolationtotheheartofVanBaerle.
Gryphussteppedtowardsthewindow.
