"We must not be too sanguine," observed one of the citizens. "There may
be fighting taking place, but we cannot tell who is gaining the victory.
It may be that the Spaniards are driving back our friends."

"I am very sure that they are not," cried Albert. "Admiral Boisot and
his gallant followers are victorious--of that I am certain."

"Count Louis and his whole army were cut to pieces not long ago,"
remarked this citizen, in a melancholy tone. The mystery was not solved
that night, and the whole of the next day went by without any
information having been received of what had taken place.

The following night the two lads were passing along the top of the wall
in the neighbourhood of the Cowgate, looking southward, when they caught
sight of the figure of a person close below them who had suddenly come
into view.

"Send me down a rope and be quick about it, or I may be caught by the
Spaniards, for they are close upon me," he exclaimed.

"They will scarcely venture within range of our guns," said Berthold.
"But we will haul you up as soon as we can get a rope."

"I know where to find one not far off," said Albert, and he hurried
away, while Berthold summoned two or three of the guard to the
assistance of the stranger. Albert quickly returned with a rope of
sufficient length and strength. Scarcely was it lowered when the
stranger hauled himself up with the agility of a monkey.

"Don't you remember me?" he said, looking at Berthold. "I am Hans
Bosch, you know that you can trust me; I have accompanied Captain Van
der Elst, and he will be up here before long. I have led the Spanish
guard a pretty dance to draw off their attention, that he might the more
easily pass by them. I don't think they are likely to have caught him,
though if he does not appear soon I must go back again. I know part of
his message, which I may give if he does not appear, but I hope that he
will deliver it himself."

This news so greatly excited Berthold and Albert that they were much
inclined to set out with Hans to look for their friend, but he advised
them to do nothing of the sort.

"They might as well try to catch a Will-o'-the-Wisp as me," he said,
"but they would trap you in a moment. No, no; if I go, I go alone."

At length, to their great joy, another figure was seen.

"Quick! quick! That's him!" exclaimed Hans. "That's the captain.
Quick! quick! The chances are he has a dozen Spaniards at his heels!"

The rope was lo