"And you put the syndic down as an innocent person, my lord!"

"If your majesty will be pleased to read this communication," replied
Lord Albemarle, presenting Ramsay's letter and enclosures, "you will
then be of my opinion."

King William took the letter and read it. "What Ramsay--he who was
attainted with Sir Robert Barclay?"

"The same, your majesty."

"So near us, and escaped--but what credence would you place in him?"

"Every credence, may it please your majesty. I believe him to be
incapable of a lie."

"A traitor like him!"

"A traitor to your majesty, but most true to his Catholic majesty, King
James that was. But if I venture to point out to your majesty, the
enclosures prove that Lieutenant Vanslyperken's word is not of much
value. He, at least, is a double traitor."

"Yes, a little hanging will do him no harm--you are sure this is his
writing?"

"There can be no doubt of it, your majesty, I have compared it."

"You will see to this, my lord: and now to the syndic."

"He has, as your majesty will perceive, been grossly deceived, and
suspected without reason."

"And the woman--"

"Was here yesterday, and fully convinced me that Vanslyperken was a
traitor, and that she was innocent. His Grace of Portland was present."

"Well, my lord, you may give orders for their release; of course a
little surveillance will be advisable. You will justify the proceedings
to the council this afternoon."

"But may I presume to submit to your majesty that the public affront
offered to the syndic should be repaired?"

"Certainly--send for him," replied his majesty, carelessly. "I will
receive him to-morrow morning;" and his majesty left the room.

Lord Albemarle immediately dispatched a courier with an order for the
release of the syndic and the Frau Vandersloosh, with a note to the
former, stating that his majesty would receive him on the following day
at noon. But while this act of justice had been preparing at the palace
of the Hague, there were other acts, not quite so justifiable,
performing at the town of Amsterdam.

The sun made its appearance more than an hour before the troops of the
royal guard. Mobs were collected in knots in the street, and in front
of the Hotel de Ville, or Stadt House, and the object of their meeting
was to canvass the treason and imprisonment of the syndic, Mynheer Van
Krause. "Shame--shame,"--"Death to the traitor,"--"Tear him to
pieces,"--and "Long life to King W