“Well, and so they ought, if they suppose me guilty; I care little for that.”

“I am aware of that; but still your property will be lost; but it will be but a matter of prudence to save all you can:  you have already a large sum of gold collected.”

“I have four thousand guilders, at least.”

“You must think of your daughter, Mynheer Krause.  This gold must not find its way into the pockets of the mob.  Now, observe, the king’s cutter sails to-night, and I propose that your gold be embarked, and I will take it over for you and keep it safe.  Then, let what will happen, your daughter will not be left to beggary.”

“True, true, my dear sir, there is no saying how this will end:  it may end well; but, as you say, if the house is plundered, the gold is gone for ever.  Your advice is good, and I will give you, before you go, orders for all the monies in the hands of my agents at Hamburgh and Frankfort and other places.  I have taken your advice my young friend, and, though I have property to the amount of some hundred thousand guilders, with the exception of this house they will hold little of it which belongs to Mynheer Krause.  And my poor daughter, Mynheer Ramsay!”

“Should any accident happen to you, you may trust to me, I swear it to you, Mynheer Krause, on my hope of salvation.”

Here the old man sat down much affected, and covered his face.

“Oh! my dear young friend, what a world is this, where they cannot distinguish a true and a loyal subject from a traitor.  But why could you not stay here,—­protect my house from the mob,—­demand the civic guard.”

“I stay here, my dear sir, why I am included in the warrant of treason.”

“You?”

“Yes; and there would be no chance of my escaping from my enemies, they detest me too much.  But cheer up, sir, I think that, by my means, you may be cleared of all suspicions.”

“By your means?”

“Yes; but I must not explain; my departure is necessary for your safety:  I will take the whole upon myself, and you shall be saved.”

“I really cannot understand you, my dear friend; but it appears to me, as if you were going to make some great sacrifice for my sake.”

“I will not be questioned, Mynheer Krause; only this I say, that I am resolved that you shall be proved innocent.  It is my duty.  But we have no time to lose.  Let your gold be ready at sunset:  I will have everything prepared.”

“But my daughter must not remain here; she will be by herself, at the mercy of the mob.”

“Be satisfied, Mynheer Krause, that is also cared for, your daughter must leave this house, and be in a safe retreat before the officers come in to seize you:  I have arranged everything.”

“Where do you propose sending her?”

“Not to any of your friends’ houses, Mynheer Krause, no—­no, but I’ll see her in safety before I leave, do not be afraid; it must depend upon circumstances, but of that hereafter, you have no time to lose.”