Just as he had expected, the papers were in perfect order.  The fishing smack Bressay, owner Maximilian van Spranekhuizen of Rotterdam, sailing with a cargo of pickled herrings from Lerwick.  Captain, Maaning Brandelaar.  Attested by the English harbour officials at Lerwick.  Everything perfectly correct.

“Very good,” said Heideck.  “Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Hollway of Dover has not endorsed them, but that was not necessary at all.”

These words, uttered with perfect calmness, had an astounding effect upon the two men.  Penurot’s pale face turned almost green; Brandelaar’s hard features were frightfully distorted in a grimace of rage.  Half choking in the effort to keep down a furious curse, he drew a deep breath, and said—­

“I don’t know any Admiral Hollway, and I have never been in Dover in my life.”

“Well, well!  Let us talk about your business—­or yours, M. Penurot.  Of course the cargo of herrings which you want to buy is not meant to be sold at Breskens, but to some business friend at Antwerp? isn’t it so?”

No answer was given.  Heideck, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, turned to the cupboard and, before the others had grasped his intention, took out the second white loaf and broke it in two.  This time a folded paper came to light.  Heideck spread it out and saw that it was covered with a long list of questions written in English.

“Look here,” said he, “the gentleman who had this paper baked with your breakfast bread must be confoundedly curious.  ’How strong is the garrison of Antwerp?  What regiments?  What batteries?  Who are the commanders of the outer fort?  What is the exact plan of the flooded district?  How is the population disposed towards the German troops?  How many German men-of-war are there in the harbour and in the Schelde?  How are they distributed?  Exact information as to the number of cannon and crews of all the men-of-war.  How many and which ships of the German navigation companies are allotted to the German fleet?  How many troops are there on the island of Walcheren?  How many in the neighbourhood of Antwerp?  How are the troops distributed on both banks of the Schelde?  Are troops ready to be put on board the men-of-war and transports?  Has a date been settled for that?  Is there a plan for employing the German fleet?  What is said about the German fleet joining the French?’ That is only a small portion of the long list; but it is quite enough for anyone to guess at the nature of the rest of the questions.  What the deuce!  Admiral Hollway would like to learn everything for his paltry thirty pounds! or were they only a little on account?  I cannot believe, M. Penurot, that your Antwerp correspondent would be willing to sell so much for thirty pounds.”

The two men were clearly overwhelmed by the weight of the unexpected blow.  For a moment, when Heideck drew the paper out of the bread, it looked as if Brandelaar would have thrown himself upon him and attempted to tear it from him by force.  But the thought of the soldiers probably restrained him opportunely from such an act of folly.  He stood where he was with tightly compressed lips and spitefully glistening eyes.