It had been intended by the conspirators, that Smallbones should make his appearance in the cabin, as the bell struck one o’clock; but the effect had already been so serious that it was thought advisable to defer any further attempts.  As for Smallbones being concealed in the vessel for any length of time there was no difficulty in that; for allowing that Vanslyperken should go forward on the lower deck of the vessel, which he never did, Smallbones had only to retreat into the eyes of her, and it was there so dark that he could not be seen.  They therefore regulated their conduct much in the same way as the members of the inquisition used to do in former days; they allowed their patient to recover, that he might be subjected to more torture.

It was not until the fourth day, that the cutter arrived at the port of Amsterdam, and Mr Vanslyperken had kept his bed ever since he had been put into it; but this he could do no longer, he rose weak and emaciated, dressed himself, and went on shore with the despatches which he first delivered, and then bent his steps to the syndic’s house, where he delivered his letters to Ramsay.

The arrival of the cutter had been duly notified to the widow Vandersloosh, before she had dropped her anchor, and in pursuance with her resolution she immediately despatched Babette to track Mr Vanslyperken, and watch his motions.  Babette took care not to be seen by Mr Vanslyperken, but shrouding herself close in her cotton print cloak, she followed him to the Stadt House, and from the Stadt House to the mansion of Mynheer Van Krause, at a short distance from the gates of which she remained till he came out.  Wishing to ascertain whether he went to any other place, she did not discover herself until she perceived that he was proceeding to the widow’s—­she then quickened her pace so as to come up with him.

“Oh!  Mynheer Vanslyperken, is this you?  I heard you had come in and so did my mistress, and she has been expecting you this last half-hour.”

“I have made all the haste I can, Babette.  But I was obliged to deliver my despatches first,” replied Vanslyperken.

“But I thought you always took your despatches to the Stadt House?”

“Well, so I do, Babette; I have just come from thence.”

This was enough for Babette, it proved that his visit to the syndic’s was intended to be concealed; she was too prudent to let him know that she had traced him.

“Why, Mr Vanslyperken, you look very ill.  What has been the matter with you?  My mistress will be quite frightened.”

“I have not been well, Babette,” replied Vanslyperken.

“I really must run home as fast as I can.  I will tell my mistress you have been unwell, for otherwise she will be in such a quandary;” and Babette hastened ahead of Mr Vanslyperken, who was in too weak a state to walk fast.

“The syndic’s house—­heh!”—­said the widow, “Mynheer Van Krause.  Why he is thorough king’s man, by all report,” continued she.  “I don’t understand it.  But there is no trusting any man now-a-days.