e way as the members of
the inquisition used to do in former days; they allowed their patient to
recover, that he might be subjected to more torture.

It was not until the fourth day that the cutter arrived at the port of
Amsterdam, and Mr Vanslyperken had kept his bed ever since he had been
put into it; but this he could do no longer: he rose weak and emaciated,
dressed himself, and went on shore with the despatches which he first
delivered, and then bent his steps to the syndic's house, where he
delivered his letters to Ramsay.

The arrival of the cutter had been duly notified to the widow
Vandersloosh, before she had dropped her anchor, and in pursuance with
her resolution she immediately dispatched Babette to track Mr
Vanslyperken, and watch his motions. Babette took care not to be seen
by Mr Vanslyperken, but shrouding herself close in her cotton print
cloak, she followed him to the Stadt House, and from the Stadt House to
the mansion of Mynheer Van Krause, at a short distance from the gates of
which she remained till he came out. Wishing to ascertain whether he
went to any other place, she did not discover herself until she
perceived that he was proceeding to the widow's--she then quickened her
pace so as to come up with him.

"Oh! Mynheer Vanslyperken, is this you? I heard you had come in and so
did my mistress, and she has been expecting you this last half-hour."

"I have made all the haste I can, Babette. But I was obliged to deliver
my despatches first," replied Vanslyperken.

"But I thought you always took your despatches to the Stadt House?"

"Well, so I do, Babette; I have just come from thence."

This was enough for Babette; it proved that his visit to the syndic's
was intended to be concealed! she was too prudent to let him know that
she had traced him.

"Why, Mr Vanslyperken, you look very ill. What has been the matter
with you? My mistress will be quite frightened."

"I have not been well, Babette," replied Vanslyperken.

"I really must run home as fast as I can. I will tell my mistress you
have been unwell, for otherwise she will be in such a quandary:" and
Babette hastened ahead of Mr Vanslyperken, who was in too weak a state
to walk fast.

"The syndic's house--heh!" said the widow--"Mynheer Van Krause. Why he
is thorough king's man, by all report," continued she. "I don't
understand it. But there is no trusting any man now-a-days. Babette,
you must go there by-and-bye, and se