e did not know how to ride, and set
off for the Hague, where he arrived about ten o'clock. He sent up his
name, and requested an audience of the Duke of Portland, as an officer
commanding one of his majesty's vessels; he was immediately admitted.

"What is your pleasure, Mr Vanslyperken?" said the duke, who was
standing at the table, in company with Lord Albemarle.

Vanslyperken was a little confused--he muttered, and stammered about
anxiety, and loyalty, and fidelity, and excess of zeal, etcetera.

No wonder he stammered, for he was talking of what he he knew nothing
about; but these two noblemen recollecting his confusion when presented
to his sovereign on board of the frigate, made allowances.

"I have at last," cried Vanslyperken, with more confidence, "been able
to discover the plots of the Jacobites, your grace."

"Indeed! Mr Vanslyperken," replied the duke, smiling incredulously,
"and pray what may they be? you must be as expeditious as possible, for
his majesty is waiting for us."

"These letters will take some time to read," replied Vanslyperken; "but
their contents are most important."

"Indeed! letters--how have you possession of their letters?"

"It will be rather a long story, sir--my lord! I mean," replied
Vanslyperken; "but they will amply repay an hour of your time, if you
can spare it."

At this moment the door opened, and his majesty entered the room. At
the sight of the king, Vanslyperken's confidence was again taking French
leave.

"My lords, I am waiting for you," said the king, with a little asperity
of manner.

"May it please your majesty, here is Lieutenant Vanslyperken, commanding
one of your majesty's vessels, who states that he has important
intelligence, and that he has possession of Jacobite papers."

"Indeed!" replied King William, who was always alive to Jacobite
plotting, from which he had already run so much risk.

"What is it, Mr Vanslyperken? speak boldly what you have to
communicate."

"Your majesty, I beg your gracious pardon, but here are copies of the
correspondence carried on by the traitors in England and this country.
If your majesty will deign to have it read, you will then perceive how
important it is. After your majesty has read it, I will have the honour
to explain to you by what means it came into my possession."

King William was a man of business, and Vanslyperken had done wisely in
making this proposal. His majesty at once sat down, with the Duke