“No, no, he frowned—­looked cross—­I see his face now.”

“Yes, but a little thing will sour the face of royalty, his corn may have pinched him, at the time he might have had a twinge in the bowels—­his voyage may have affected him.”

“He smiled upon others, upon my friend, Engelback, very graciously.”

This was the very party who had prepared the charges against Krause—­his own very particular friend.

“Did he?” replied Ramsay.  “Then depend upon it, that’s the very man who has belied you.”

“What, Engelback? my particular friend?”

“Yes, I should imagine so.  Tell me, Mynheer Krause, I trust you have never entrusted to him the important secrets which I have made you acquainted with, for if you have, your knowledge of them would be quite sufficient.”

“My knowledge of them.  I really cannot understand that.  How can my knowledge of what is going on among the king’s friends and councillors be a cause of suspicion?”

“Why, Mynheer Krause, because the king is surrounded by many who are retained from policy and fear of them.  If these secrets are made known contrary to oath, is it not clear that the parties so revealing them must be no sincere friends of his Majesty’s, and will it not be naturally concluded that those who have possession of them, are equally his open or secret enemies.”

“But then, Mynheer Ramsay, by that rule you must be his Majesty’s enemy.”

“That does not follow, Mynheer Krause, I may obtain the secrets from those who are not so partial to his Majesty as they are to me, but that does not disprove my loyalty.  To expose them would of course render me liable to suspicion—­but I guard them carefully.  I have not told a word to a soul, but to you, my dear Mynheer Krause, and I have felt assured that you were much too loyal to make known to anyone, what it was your duty to your king to keep secret; surely, Mynheer Krause, you have not trusted that man?”

“I may have given a hint or so—­I’m afraid that I did; but he is my most particular friend.”

“If that is the case,” replied Ramsay, “I am not at all surprised at the king’s frowning on you:  Engelback having intelligence from you, supposed to be known only to the highest authorities, has thought it his duty to communicate it to government, and you are now suspected.”

“God in heaven!  I wish I never had your secrets, Mynheer Ramsay.  It appears then that I have committed treason without knowing it.”

“At all events, you have incurred suspicion.  It is a pity that you mentioned what I confided to you, but what’s done cannot be helped, you must now be active.”

“What must I do, my dear friend?”