lf, and, as at that time such a relic was considered
very valuable, he had no doubt but that it would again fetch a
considerable sum. Tempted by the sight of it when he entered the
chamber of death, he had taken it from the neck of the corpse, and it
was then actually concealed in his bosom, so he replied,--"My offer is a
good one, Mynheer Philip, and you had better take it. Of what use is
such trash?"

"I tell you no," cried Philip, in a rage.

"Well, then, you will let me have it in my possession till I am paid,
Mynheer Vanderdecken--that is but fair. I must not lose my money. When
you bring me my three guilders and a half and the phial, I will return
it to you."

Philip's indignation was now without bounds. He seized Mynheer Poots by
the collar, and threw him out of the door. "Away immediately," cried
he, "or by--"

There was no occasion for Philip to finish the imprecation. The doctor
had hastened away with such alarm, that he fell down half the steps of
the staircase, and was limping away across the bridge. He almost wished
that the relic had not been in his possession; but his sudden retreat
had prevented him, even if so inclined, from replacing it on the corpse.

The result of this conversation naturally turned Philip's thoughts to
the relic, and he went into his mother's room to take possession of it.
He opened the curtains--the corpse was laid out--he put forth his hand
to untie the black ribbon. It was not there. "Gone!" exclaimed Philip.
"They hardly would have removed it--never would. It must be that
villain Poots--wretch! but I will have it, even if he has swallowed it,
though I tear him limb from limb!"

Philip darted down the stairs, rushed out of the house, cleared the moat
at one bound and, without coat or hat, flew away in the direction of the
doctor's lonely residence. The neighbours saw him as he passed them
like the wind; they wondered, and they shook their heads. Mynheer Poots
was not more than half way to his home for he had hurt his ankle.
Apprehensive of what might possibly take place, should his theft be
discovered, he occasionally looked behind him; at length, to his horror,
he beheld Philip Vanderdecken at a distance, bounding on in pursuit of
him. Frightened almost out of his senses, the wretched pilferer hardly
knew how to act; to stop and surrender up the stolen property was his
first thought, but fear of Vanderdecken's violence prevented him; so he
decided on taking t