The Flemings looked radiant.

“What did I say, gentlemen?” said William.

“It is a great honor,” said the unknown, “to have been, without knowing it, of the same opinion as the greatest captain of the age.”

Both bowed courteously.

“Then,” continued the unknown, “it is settled:  you will make a furious sortie on the infantry and cavalry.  I trust that your officers will so conduct it as to defeat your enemies.”

“But their vessels?” cried the burgomaster.  “The wind is northeast, and they will be in our city in two hours.”

“You have yourselves six old ships and thirty boats at St. Marie; that is a mile off, is it not?  That is your maritime barricade across the Scheldt.”

“Yes, monseigneur, that is so.  How do you know all these details?”

Monseigneur smiled.

“I know them, as you see; it is there that lies the fate of the battle.”

“Then,” said the burgomaster, “we must send aid to our brave seamen.”

“On the contrary, you may dispose otherwise of the 400 men who are there; twenty brave, intelligent, and devoted men will suffice.”  The Antwerpians opened their eyes in surprise.

“Will you,” continued monseigneur, “destroy the French fleet at the expense of your six old vessels and thirty boats?”

“Hum!” said the Antwerpians, looking at each other, “our ships are not so old.”

“Well, price them,” said the stranger, “and I will pay you their value.”

“See,” said William softly to him, “the men against whom I have to contend every day.  Were it not for that, I should have conquered long ago.”

“Come, gentlemen,” continued the stranger, “name your price, but name it quickly.  I will pay you in bills on yourselves, which I trust you will find good.”

“Monseigneur,” said the burgomaster, after a few minutes’ deliberation with the others, “we are merchants, and not soldiers; therefore, you must pardon some hesitation, for our souls are not in our bodies, but in our counting-houses.  However, there are circumstances in which, for the general good, we know how to make sacrifices.  Dispose, then, of our ships as you like.”

“Ma foi, monseigneur,” said William, “you have done wonders.  It would have taken me six months to obtain what you have done in ten minutes.”

“This, then, is my plan, gentlemen,” said monseigneur.  “The French, with the admiral’s galley at their head, will try to force a passage.  Make your line long enough, and from all your boats let the men throw grappling-irons; and then, having made fast the enemy’s ships, set fire to all your own boats, having previously filled them with combustible materials, and let your men escape in one reserved for the purpose.”

“Oh!” cried William, “I see the whole French fleet burning.”

“Yes, the whole; then no more retreat by sea and none by land, for at the same time you must open the sluices of Malines, Berchem, Lier, Duffel, and Antwerp.  Repulsed by you, pursued by your open dykes, enveloped on all sides by these waters unexpectedly and rapidly rising, by this sea, which will have a flow, but no ebb, the French will be drowned—­overwhelmed—­destroyed.”