k out, without
our giving them notice."
"Very true," replied Jemmy, "so we break up our concert."
The whole party were now silent. In a quarter of an hour the boat was
run into a cut, which concealed it from view; and, as soon as the
fisherman had looked round to see the coast clear, they landed and made
haste to pass by the cottages; after that Nancy slackened her pace, and
they walked during the night over to the other side of the island, and
arrived at the cottages above the cave.
Here they left a portion of their burdens, and then proceeded to the
path down the cliff which led to the cave. On Nancy giving the signal,
the ladder was lowered, and they were admitted. As soon as they were
upon the flat, Moggy embraced her husband, crying, "Here I have you, my
own dear Jemmy, all to myself, and safe for ever."
CHAPTER THIRTY.
IN WHICH MR. VANSLYPERKEN TREATS THE LADIES.
On the second day after his arrival, Vanslyperken, as agreed, went up to
the syndic's house to call upon Ramsay. The latter paid him down one
hundred pounds for his passage and services; and Vanslyperken was so
pleased, that he thought seriously, as soon as he had amassed sufficient
money, to withdraw himself from the service, and retire with his
ill-gotten gains; but when would a miser like Vanslyperken have amassed
sufficient money? Alas! never, even if the halter were half round his
neck. Ramsay then gave his instructions to Vanslyperken, advising him
to call for letters previously to his sailing, and telling him that he
must open the Government despatches in the way to which he had been
witness, take full memorandums of the contents, and bring them to him,
for which service he would each time receive fifty pounds as a
remuneration. Vanslyperken bowed to his haughty new acquaintance, and
quitted the house.
"Yes," thought Ramsay, "that fellow is a low, contemptible traitor, and
bow infamous does treason appear in that wretch! but--I--I am no
traitor--I have forfeited my property and risked my life in fidelity to
my king, and in attempting to rid the world of an usurper and a tyrant.
Here, indeed, I am playing a traitor's part to my host, but still I am
doing my duty. An army without spies would be incomplete, and one may
descend to that office for the good of one's country without tarnish or
disgrace. Am I not a traitor to her already? Have not I formed visions
in my imagination already of obtaining her hand, and her heart,
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