“The last you’ll do; you’ll do as much as we please, and as long as we please.  You are doubly in our power, scoundrel!  You betray the government you serve, but you shall not betray us.  If you had a thousand lives, you are a dead man the very moment you flinch from or neglect our work.  Do your work faithfully, and you will be rewarded; but either you must do our work or die.  You have but to choose.”

“Indeed!” replied Vanslyperken.

“Yes, indeed!  And to prove that I am in earnest, I shall punish you for your neglect, by not paying you this time.  You may leave the letters and go.  But mind that you give us timely notice when you are ordered back to the Hague, for we shall want you.”

Vanslyperken, indignant at this language, obeyed his first impulse, which was to snatch up the letters and attempt to leave the room.

“No pay, no letters!” exclaimed he, opening the door.

“Fool!” cried the young man with a bitter sneer, not stirring from his seat.

Vanslyperken opened the door, and to his amazement there were three swords pointed to his heart.  He started back.

“Will you leave the letters now?” observed the young man.

Vanslyperken threw them down on the table with every sign of perturbation, and remained silent and pale.

“And now perfectly understand me, sir,” said the young cavalier.  “We make a great distinction between those who have joined the good cause, or rather, who have continued steadfast to their king from feelings of honour and loyalty, and those who are to be bought and sold.  We honour the first, we despise the latter.  Their services we require, and therefore we employ them.  A traitor to the sovereign from whom he receives his pay, is not likely to be trusted by us.  I know your character, that is sufficient.  Now, although the government make no difference between one party or the other, with the exception that some may be honoured with the axe instead of the gibbet, you will observe what we do:  and as our lives are already forfeited by attainder, we make no scruple of putting out of the way any one whom we may even suspect of betraying us.  Nay, more; we can furnish the government with sufficient proofs against you without any risk to ourselves, for we have many partisans who are still in office.  Weigh now well all you have heard, and be assured, that although we despise you, and use you only as our tool, we will have faithful and diligent service; if not, your life is forfeited.”

Vanslyperken heard all this with amazement and confusion:  he immediately perceived that he was in a snare, from which escape was impossible.  His coward heart sank within him, and he promised implicit obedience.

“Nevertheless, before you go you will sign your adherence to King James and his successors,” observed the young cavalier.  “Lazarus, bring in writing materials.”  The Jew, who was at the door, complied with the order.