While Vanslyperken was meditating this, Ramsay fixed his eyes upon him waiting for his reply.

“It will be difficult,” observed Vanslyperken, “to get the specie on board without being seen.”

“I’m afraid so too, but I have a proposition to make.  Suppose you get under way, and—­heave to a mile outside, I will then come off in the syndic’s barge.  I can have the use of it.  Then nothing will be discovered.”

Vanslyperken appeared to reflect again.

“I shall still run a great risk, Mr Ramsay.”

“You will run some little perhaps, but you will be well paid for it, I promise you.”

“Well, sir, I consent,” replied Vanslyperken.  “At what hour do you propose to embark?”

“About eleven or a little earlier.  You will have a light over the stern; hail the boat when you see it coming, and I shall answer, ’King’s messenger, with despatches;’ that will be a blind to your crew—­they supposed me a king’s messenger before.”

“Yes, that will be prudent,” replied Vanslyperken, who then took his leave with great apparent cordiality.

“Villain,” muttered Ramsay, as Vanslyperken shut the door, “I know your thoughts.”

We must pass over the remainder of this eventful day.  Wilhelmina had procured the dress of a boy, in which disguise she proposed to elope with Ramsay, and all her preparations were made long before the time.  Mynheer Krause was also occupied in getting his specie ready for embarkation, and Ramsay in writing letters.  The despatches from the Hague came down about nine o’clock, and Vanslyperken received them on board.  About ten, he weighed and made sail, and hove-to about a mile outside, with a light shown as agreed.  About the time arranged, a large boat appeared pulling up to the cutter.  “Boat, ahoy!” “King’s messenger with despatches,” was the reply.  “All’s right,” said Vanslyperken, “get a rope there from forward.”

The boat darted alongside of the cutter.  She pulled ten oars, but, as soon as she was alongside, a number of armed men sprang from her on the decks, and beat the crew below, while Ramsay, with pistols in his belt, and his sword in his hand, went aft to Vanslyperken.

“What is all this?” exclaimed the terrified lieutenant.

“Nothing, sir, but common prudence on my part,” replied Ramsay.  “I have an account to settle with you.”

Vanslyperken perceived that his treachery was discovered, and he fell upon his knees.  Ramsay turned away to give orders, and Vanslyperken darted down the hatchway, and gained the lower deck.

“Never mind,” said Ramsay, “he’ll not escape me; come, my lads, hand up the boxes as fast as you can.”

Ramsay then went to the boat, and brought up Wilhelmina, who had remained there, and conducted her down into the cabin.  The boxes were also handed down, the boat made fast, and the conspirators remained in possession of the deck.  The helm was taken by one of them; sail again made on the cutter, and the boat with a boat-keeper towed astern.