e if you can find out whether that
person he brought over, and he called a king's messenger, is living at
the syndic's house. I think he must be, or why would Vanslyperken go
there? and if he is, there's treason going on--that's all! and I'll find
it out, or my name is not Vandersloosh."

Shortly after, Mr Vanslyperken arrived at the house, and was received
with the usual treacherous cordiality; but he had not remained more than
an hour when Coble came to him (having been dispatched by Short), to
inform Mr Vanslyperken that a frigate was coming in with a royal
standard at the main, indicating that King William was on board of her.

This intelligence obliged Mr Vanslyperken to hasten on board, as it was
necessary to salute, and also to pay his respects on board of the
frigate.

The frigate was within a mile when Mr Vanslyperken arrived on board of
the cutter, and when the batteries saluted, the cutter did the same.
Shortly afterwards the frigate dropped her anchor and returned the
salute. Mr Vanslyperken, attired in his full uniform, ordered his boat
to be manned and pulled on board.

On his arrival on the quarter-deck Vanslyperken was received by the
captain of the frigate, and then presented to King William of Nassau,
who was standing on the other side of the deck, attended by the Duke of
Portland, Lord Albemarle, and several others of his courtiers, not all
of them quite so faithful as the two whom we have named.

When Mr Vanslyperken was brought forward to the presence of his
majesty, he trembled almost as much as when he had beheld the supposed
spirit of Smallbones; and well he might, for his conscience told him, as
he bowed his knee, that he was a traitor. His agitation was, however,
ascribed to his being daunted by the unusual presence of royalty. And
Albemarle, as Vanslyperken retreated with a cold sweat on his forehead,
observed to the king with a smile--

"That worthy lieutenant would show a little more courage, I doubt not,
your majesty, if he were in the presence of your enemies."

"It is to be hoped so," replied the king with a smile. "I agree with
you, Keppel."

But his majesty and Lord Albemarle did not know Mr Vanslyperken, as the
reader will acknowledge.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

IN WHICH IS SHOWN HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO TELL A SECRET.

Mr Vanslyperken received orders to attend with his boat upon his
majesty's landing, which took place in about a quarter of an hour
afterwards, amidst ano