through an arched passageway, with the main entrance into the court-yard.  This vestibule was also directly at the foot of the wooden staircase leading to the next floor, and was scarcely six feet in width.  Upon its left side, as one approached the stairway, was an, obscure arch, sunk deep in the wall, and completely in the shadow of the door.  Behind this arch a portal opened to the narrow lane at the side of the house.  The stairs themselves were completely lighted by a large window, half way up the flight.  The Prince came from the dining-room, and began leisurely to ascend.  He had only reached the second stair, when a man emerged from the sunken arch, and, standing within a foot or two of him, discharged a pistol full at his heart.  Three balls entered his body, one of which, passing quite through him, struck with violence against the wall beyond.  The Prince exclaimed in French, as he felt the wound, “O my God; have mercy upon my soul!  O my God, have mercy upon this poor people.”

These were the last words he ever spoke, save that when his sister, Catherine of Schwartzburg, immediately afterwards asked him if he commended his soul to Jesus Christ, he faintly answered, “Yes.”  His master of the horse, Jacob van Maldere, had caught him in his arms as the fatal shot was fired.  The Prince was then placed on the stairs for an instant, when he immediately began to swoon.  He was afterwards laid upon a couch in the dining-room, where in a few minutes, he breathed his last in the arms of his wife and sister.

The murderer succeeded in making his escape through the side door, and sped swiftly up the narrow lane.  He had almost reached the ramparts, from which he intended to spring into the moat, when he stumbled over a heap of rubbish.  As he rose, he was seized by several pages and halberdiers, who had pursued him from the house.  He had dropped his pistols upon the spot where he had committed the crime, and upon his person were found a couple, of bladders, provided with apiece of pipe with which he had intended to assist himself across the moat, beyond which a horse was waiting for him.  He made no effort to deny his identity, but boldly avowed himself and his deed.  He was brought back to the house, where he immediately underwent a preliminary examination before the city magistrates.  He was afterwards subjected to excruciating tortures; for the fury against the wretch who had destroyed the Father of the country was uncontrollable, and William the Silent was no longer alive to intercede—­as he had often done before—­in behalf of those who assailed his life.