Gerard has left Tergou." "How ?" "I saw him last night." "Ay! Where ?" cried Dierich eagerly.
"At the foot of the haunted tower." "How did he get the rope ?" "I know not; but this I know; my brother Gerard bade me there farewell, and he is many leagues from Tergou ere this.

The town, you know, was always unworthy of him, and when it imprisoned him, he vowed never to set foot in it again.

Let the burgomaster be content, then.

He has imprisoned him, and he has driven him from his birthplace and from his native land.

What need now to rob him and us of our good name ?" This might at another moment have struck Dierich as good sense; but he was too mortified at this escape of Gerard and the loss of a hundred crowns.
"What need had he to steal ?" retorted he bitterly.
"Gerard stole not the trash; he but took it to spite the burgomaster, who stole his liberty; but he shall answer to the Duke for it, he shall.
As for these skins of parchment you keep such a coil about, look in the nearest brook or stye, and 'tis odds but you find them." "Think ye so, mistress ?--think ye so ?" And Dierich's eyes flashed.
"Mayhap you know 'tis so." "This I know, that Gerard is too good to steal, and too wise to load himself with rubbish, going a journey." "Give you good day, then," said Dierich sharply.