this was the occasion of great
marvel; moreover, they doubted his being a king's messenger, for, as
Smallbones very shrewdly observed, "Why, if he was a king's messenger,
did he not come with the despatches?" However, they could only surmise,
and no more. But the dog being turned out of the cabin in compliance
with Ramsay's wish was the most important point of all. They could have
got over all the rest, but that was quite incomprehensible; and they all
agreed with Coble, when he observed, hitching up his trousers "Depend
upon it, there's a screw loose somewhere."

As soon as the cutter was at anchor, Ramsay ordered his portmanteau into
the boat, and Vanslyperken having accompanied him on shore, they
separated, Ramsay informing Vanslyperken that he would wish to see him
the next day, and giving him his address.

Vanslyperken delivered his despatches, and then hastened to the widow
Vandersloosh, who received him with a well assumed appearance of mingled
pleasure and reserve.

Vanslyperken led her to the sofa, poured forth a multitudinous compound
composed of regret, devotion, and apologies, which at last appeared to
have melted the heart of the widow, who once more gave him her hand to
salute.

Vanslyperken was all rapture at so unexpected a reconciliation: the name
of the cur was not mentioned; and Vanslyperken thought to himself, "This
will do--let me only once get you, my Frau, and I'll teach you to wish
my dog dead at your porch."

On the other hand the widow thought, "And so this atomy really believes
that I would look upon him! Well, well, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see
how it ends. Your cur under my bed, indeed, so sure do you never--.
Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken."

There is a great deal of humbug in this world, that is certain.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

IN WHICH WE HAVE AT LAST INTRODUCED A DECENT SORT OF HEROINE, WHO,
HOWEVER, ONLY PLAYS A SECOND IN OUR HISTORY, SNARLEYYOW BEING THE FIRST
FIDDLE.

But we must leave Mr Vanslyperken, and the widow, and the Yungfrau, and
all connected with her, for the present, and follow the steps of Ramsay,
in doing which we shall have to introduce new personages in our little
drama.

As soon as Ramsay had taken leave of Vanslyperken, being a stranger at
Amsterdam, he inquired his way to the Golden street, in which resided
Mynheer Van Krause, syndic of the town, and to whom he had obtained his
principal letters of introduction. The syndic's house was too well
k