"Others have been beforehand with your Highness." "How, Sir--what others ?" demanded Charles, bending his brows.
"The extortioner's lawless band of attendants--generally known as his myrmidons, your Highness," replied Hatton.

"Instinctively discerning, as it would seem, that all was over with their master, they had determined to quit his service, and without giving him any notice of their intention.

Not content with deserting him in the hour of danger, they have robbed him as well--robbed him of the bulk of his treasure.

They have broken into his secret cabinet--and stripped it of all its valuables that could be of use to them, and have not left one of his hidden hoards unvisited." "Hell's curses upon them!" exclaimed Mompesson, with irrepressible rage.
"May they all swing upon the gibbet!" "The chief among them--a rascally Alsatian, known as Captain Bludder--has been captured," pursued Luke Hatton.

"And a large sum, together with a rich casket of jewels, has been found upon him; and it is to be hoped that the officers will succeed in finding the others.
Will your Highness interrogate Bludder ?" "Not now," replied Charles.