ery man of them know that this gentleman and I have been
fighting in his Majesty's park! Tut, tut; you'll have them both
arrested in a jiffy. Give me my coat!"

"You cannot get your arm into it."

"My worthy Peter, you're my excellent lieutenant and a fair seaman;
but I begin to doubt if you'll ever make a captain. You've no
resource. Take your knife. Now slit down the inner seam of the
sleeve--so. Now lift me up and help me into it."

He stood on his legs. His face was a trifle pale, but he kept his
jaw set firmly.

"Now button the sleeve at the wrist."

"But it still gapes above."

"Of course it does. Therefore we will walk arm-in-arm; only you must
hold me very gently. There, that's it." He nodded stiffly, and was
moving away on Peter's arm when Captain Barker interposed.

"Excuse me, Captain van Adrienssen, but just outside the park gate
you'll find a litter, which I am happy to place at your service."

"Thank you, sir, but I'll not use it."

"You will," said Peter decidedly.

"Why, sir, we have to start for Amsterdam to-night."

"You'll get no farther than The Hague," said Peter; "and there you'll
be put to bed."

They walked slowly off, arm-in-arm. Drawing near the sentries,
Captain van Adrienssen groaned.

"Going to faint?" Peter asked.

"Not till I get outside."

He was as good as his word, and they went through the gates without
exciting suspicion. The litter was there, and Peter, beckoning to
the men, explained the case in a whisper. His companion offered no
opposition. Indeed, no sooner was he placed in the litter than he
swooned away.

King William was still strolling in his favourite avenue when the two
captains approached, led by their friend the ensign, who was
beginning to wish himself well out of the business. At his Majesty's
side paced William Bentinck, Earl of Portland, whom we have already
met, in the course of this narrative, in the little inn at
Vlaardingen. The two were alone and in earnest converse, but looked
up as the party approached along the avenue.

"H'm, it appears to me that I know these two shapes," said William.

"They are odd enough to be remembered."

"That is the figure which honesty cuts in the country over which I
have the misfortune to rule--or rather to reign. My friend, these
are two honest Englishmen, and therefore worth observation.
Moreover, they are about to give me the devil of a time.
Well, gentlemen," he continued, lifting his