A more accomplished highwayman, artistically and enthusiastically devoted to his pursuit, never lived.

Nobody did his work more thoroughly--nobody got himself better paid for his work--and Thomas Wilkes, that excellent man of business, thought the States not likely to make much by their contract.

Nevertheless, it was a comfort to know that the work would not be neglected.
Schenk was accordingly absent, jobbing the Rheinberg siege, and in his place one Aristotle Patton, a Scotch colonel in the States' service, was commandant of Gelders.

Now the thrifty Scot had an eye to business, too, and was no more troubled with qualms of conscience than Rowland York himself.

Moreover, he knew himself to be in great danger of losing his place, for Leicester was no friend to him, and intended to supersede him.
Patton had also a decided grudge against Schenk, for that truculent personage had recently administered to him a drubbing, which no doubt he had richly deserved.