“God in heaven!” exclaimed Mynheer Krause, unlocking the door, “that I, the syndic, the most loyal subject!—­well, well, you may truly say, ’put not your trust in princes.’”

“Trust in me, Mynheer Krause,” replied Ramsay, taking his hand.

“I do, I will, my good friend, and I will go to prison proudly, and like an innocent and injured man.”

And Mynheer Krause hastened down to his counting-house, to make the proposed arrangements, Ramsay returning to Wilhelmina, to whom he imparted what had taken place between him and her father, and which had the effect of conforming her resolution.

We must now return to the widow Vandersloosh, who has arrived safely, but melting with the heat of her journey, at the Palace of the Hague.  She immediately informed one of the domestics that she wished to speak with his Majesty upon important business.

“I cannot take your name into his Majesty, but if you will give it me, I will speak to Lord Albemarle.”

The widow wrote her name down upon a slip of paper; with which the servant went away, and then the widow sat down upon a bench in the hall, and cooled herself with her fan.

“Frau Vandersloosh,” said Lord Albemarle, on reading the name.

“Let her come up,—­why this,” continued he, turning to the Duke of Portland, who was sitting by him, “is the woman who is ordered to be arrested this night, upon the evidence of Lieutenant Vanslyperken; we shall learn something now, depend upon it.”

The Frau Vandersloosh made her appearance, sailing in the room like a Dutch man-of-war of that period, under full sail, high pooped and broad sterned.  Never having stood in the presence of great men, she was not a little confused, so she fanned herself most furiously.

“You wish to speak with me,” said Lord Albemarle.

“Yes, your honour’s honour, I’ve come to expose a snivelling traitor to his Majesty’s crown.  Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see now,” continued the widow, talking to herself, and fanning away.

“We are all attentive, madam.”

Mistress Vandersloosh then began, out of breath, and continued out of breath till she had told the whole of her story, which, as the reader must be aware, only corroborated all Vanslyperken had already stated, with the exception that he had denounced the widow.  Lord Albemarle allowed her to proceed without interruption, he had a great insight into character, and the story of the widow confirmed him in his opinion of Vanslyperken.

“But my good woman,” said Lord Albemarle, “are you aware that Mr Vanslyperken has already been here?”

“Yes, your honour, I met him going back, and he turned his nose up at me, and I then said, ’Well, well, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see; wait a little, Mr Vanslyperken.’”

“And,” continued Lord Albemarle, “that he has denounced you as being a party to all these treasonable practices.”