I have the Holy Book; first let us pray, and then we can seek wisdom there." "You are rich, indeed," answered Brant; "sometime you must tell me how and where you came by it." "Here in Leyden, if one can afford to pay for them, such goods are not hard to get," said Dirk; "what _is_ hard is to keep them safely, for to be found with a Bible in your pocket is to carry your own death-warrant." Brant nodded.

"Is it safe to show it here ?" he asked.
"As safe as anywhere, cousin; the window is shuttered, the door is, or will be, locked, but who can say that he is safe this side of the stake in a land where the rats and mice carry news and the wind bears witness?
Come, I will show you were I keep it," and going to the mantelpiece he took down a candle-stick, a quaint brass, ornamented on its massive oblong base with two copper snails, and lit the candle.

"Do you like the piece ?" he asked; "it is my own design, which I cast and filed out in my spare hours," and he gazed at the holder with the affection of an artist.

Then without waiting for an answer, he led the way to the door of his sitting-room and paused.
"What is it ?" asked Brant.
"I thought I heard a sound, that is all, but doubtless the old vrouw moves upon the stairs.

Turn the key, cousin, so, now come on." They entered the sleeping chamber, and having glanced round and made sure that it was empty, and the window shut, Dirk went to the head of the bed, which was formed of oak-panels, the centre one carved with a magnificent coat-of-arms, fellow to that in the fireplace of the sitting-room.