In which Van Baerle, before leaving Loewestein, settles Accounts with Gryphus
Thetworemainedsilentforsomeminutes,Gryphusontheoffensive,andVanBaerleonthedefensive.
Then,asthesituationmightbeprolongedtoanindefinitelength,Cornelius,anxioustoknowsomethingmoreofthecauseswhichhadsofiercelyexasperatedhisjailer,spokefirstbyputtingthequestion,—
“Well,whatdoyouwant,afterall?”
“I’lltellyouwhatIwant,”answeredGryphus;“IwantyoutorestoretomemydaughterRosa.”
“Yourdaughter?”criedVanBaerle.
“Yes,mydaughterRosa,whomyouhavetakenfrommebyyourdevilishmagic.Now,willyoutellmewheresheis?”
AndtheattitudeofGryphusbecamemoreandmorethreatening.
“RosaisnotatLoewestein?”criedCornelius.
“Youknowwellsheisnot.Oncemore,willyourestorehertome?”
“Isee,”saidCornelius,“thisisatrapyouarelayingforme.”
“Now,forthelasttime,willyoutellmewheremydaughteris?”
“Guessit,yourogue,ifyoudon’tknowit.”
“Onlywait,onlywait,”growledGryphus,whitewithrage,andwithquiveringlips,ashisbrainbegantoturn.“Ah,youwillnottellmeanything?Well,I’llunlockyourteeth!”
HeadvancedasteptowardsCornelius,andsaid,showinghimtheweaponwhichheheldinhishands,—
“Doyouseethisknife?Well,Ihavekilledmorethanfiftyblackcockswithit,andIvowI’llkilltheirmaster,thedevil,aswellasthem.”
“But,youblockhead,”saidCornelius,“willyoureallykillme?”
“Ishallopenyourhearttoseeinittheplacewhereyouhidemydaughter.