These arrangements having been made, the council broke up, King William had a conference with his two favourites, and Vanslyperken was sent for.

“Lieutenant Vanslyperken, we feel much indebted to you for your important communications, and we shall not forget, in due time, to reward your zeal and loyalty as it deserves.  At present, it is necessary that you sail for England as soon as our despatches are ready, which will be before midnight; you will then receive your orders from the admiral, at Portsmouth, and I have no doubt you will take the opportunity of affording us fresh proofs of your fidelity and attachment.”

Mr Vanslyperken bowed humbly and retired, delighted with the successful result of his manoeuvre, and, with a gay heart he leaped into his calash, and drove off.

“Yes, yes,” thought he, “Madam Vandersloosh, you would betray me.  We shall see.  Yes, yes, we shall see, Madam Vandersloosh.”

And sure enough he did see Madam Vandersloosh, who in another calash was driving to the palace, and who met him face to face.

Vanslyperken turned up his nose at her as he passed by, and the widow astonished at his presumption, thought as she went on her way, “Well, well, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see, you may turn up your snivelling nose, but stop till your head’s in the halter—­yes, Mr Vanslyperken, stop till your head’s in the halter.”

We must leave Mr Vanslyperken to drive, and the widow Vandersloosh to drive, while we drive on ourselves.

The subsequent events of this eventful day we will narrate in the following chapter.

Chapter XLVI

In which there is much bustle and confusion, plot and counter-plot.

About two hours after the council had broken up, the following communication was delivered into the hands of Ramsay by an old woman, who immediately took her departure.

“The lieutenant of the cutter has taken copies of all your correspondence and betrayed you.  You must fly immediately, as at midnight you and all of you will be seized.  In justice to Mynheer Krause, leave documents to clear him.

“The cutter will sail this evening—­with orders to secure your friends at Portsmouth and the cave.”

“Now, by the holy cross of our Saviour!  I will have revenge upon that dastard; there is no time to lose; five minutes for reflection, and then to act,” thought Ramsay, as he twisted up this timely notice, which, it must be evident to the reader, must have been sent by one who had been summoned to the council.  Ramsay’s plans were soon formed, he despatched a trusty messenger to the Jesuit’s, desiring him to communicate immediately with the others, and upon what plan to proceed.  He then wrote a note to Vanslyperken, requesting his immediate presence, and hastened to the morning apartment of Wilhelmina.  In a few words, he told her that he had received timely notice that it was the intention of the government to seize her father and him as suspected traitors, and throw them that very night in prison.