He cannot inflame Wuertemberg, and Wuertemberg cannot influence the other German princes." The duke paused, and Campo-Basso proceeded:-- "The citizens of Ghent, my lord, petition Your Grace for the restoration of certain communal rights, and beg for the abolition of the hearth tax and the salt levy.

They also desire the right to elect their own burgomaster and--" "Give me the petition," demanded the duke.

Campo-Basso handed the parchment to Charles, and he tore it to shreds.
"Send these to the dogs of Ghent, and tell them that for every scrap of parchment I'll take a score of heads when I return from Switzerland." "We hear also, my lord," said the Italian, "that King Edward of England is marshalling an army, presumably for the invasion of France and, because of the close union that is soon to be between King Louis and Burgundy, I have thought proper to lay the news before Your Grace." "Edward wants more of King Louis' gold," answered Charles.

"We'll let him get it.

We care not how much he has from this crafty miser of the Seine.