imens of brassware, consigned to the correspondents of our
firm," answered Foy, indifferently.

"You are very glib," sneered the sandy-whiskered man; "what is the mule
laden with? It may be Bibles for all I know."

"Nothing half so valuable, master," replied Foy; "it is a church
chandelier in pieces."

"Unpack it and show me the pieces," said the officer.

Foy flushed with anger and set his teeth, but Martin, administering to
him a warning nudge in the ribs, submitted with prompt obedience.

It was a long business, for each arm of the chandelier had been
carefully wrapped in hay bands, and the official would not pass them
until every one was undone, after which they must be done up again.
While the pair of them were engaged upon this tedious and unnecessary
task, two fresh travellers arrived at the gate, a long, bony person,
clothed in a priest-like garb with a hood that hid the head, and a
fierce, dissolute-looking individual of military appearance and armed to
the teeth. Catching sight of young van Goorl and his servant, the long
person, who seemed to ride very awkwardly with legs thrust forward,
whispered something to the soldier man, and they passed on without
question through the gate.

When Foy and Martin followed them twenty minutes later, they were out of
sight, for the pair were well mounted and rode hard.

"Did you recognise them?" asked Martin so soon as they were clear of the
crowd.

"No," said Foy; "who are they?"

"The papist witch, Black Meg, dressed like a man, and the fellow who
came here from The Hague yesterday, whither they are going to report
that the Heer Adrian routed them, and that the Broekhovens with the
Jufvrouw Elsa got through unsearched."

"What does it all mean, Martin?"

"It means, master, that we shall have a warm welcome yonder; it means
that some one guesses we know about this treasure, and that we shan't
get the stuff away without trouble."

"Will they waylay us?"

Martin shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "It is always well to be
ready, but I think not. Coming back they may waylay us, not going. Our
lives are of little use without the money; also they cannot be had for
the asking."

Martin was right, for travelling slowly they reached the city without
molestation, and, riding to the house of Dirk's correspondent, put
up their horses; ate, rested, delivered the sample chandelier, and
generally transacted the business which appeared to be the object of
their jour