that his majesty might not imagine that the French
Government could sanction such outrages, they had sent her immediately
on to him, under the charge of one of their officers, to wait upon his
majesty, and express their sentiments of regret that such a circumstance
should have occurred. The authorities, aware that to obey Sir Robert
would not be displeasing to the court of Versailles, and that the excuse
for so doing could only be taken as a compliment to the English court,
therefore acted upon this suggestion. A French officer was sent on
board of the cutter with the despatch, and Ramsay's letter to Mynheer
Krause was committed to the charge of the corporal.

Before the sun had set, the Yungfrau was again at sea, and on the third
morning anchored in her usual berth off the town of Amsterdam.

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

IN WHICH WE TRUST THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE ARRANGED TO THE SATISFACTION
OF OUR READERS.

The French officer who was sent to explain what had occasioned the
arrival of the cutter in the port of Cherbourg, immediately set off for
the Hague, and was received by Lord Albemarle.

As soon as his credentials had been examined, he was introduced to his
majesty, King William.

"It appears," said his majesty to Lord Albemarle, after the
introduction, "that these Jacobite conspirators have saved us one
trouble by hanging this traitor, Vanslyperken."

"Yes, your majesty, he has met with his deserved punishment," replied
Lord Albemarle.

Then, addressing himself to the officer, "We will return our
acknowledgments for this proof of good will on the part of the French
Government," said his majesty, bowing. "My Lord Albemarle, you will see
that this gentleman is suitably entertained."

The officer bowed and retired.

"This is an over politeness which I do not admire," observed his majesty
to Lord Albemarle. "Let that person be well watched; depend upon it the
letter is all a pretext, there is more plotting going on."

"I am of your majesty's opinion, and shall be careful that your
majesty's commands are put in force," replied his lordship, as King
William retired into his private apartments.

The cutter had not been half an hour at anchor, before Obadiah Coble
went on shore with the corporal. Their first object was to apply to the
authorities, that the wounded men might be sent to the hospital, which
they were before the night; the next was to deliver the letter to
Mynheer Krause. They thought it advi