e must be allowed to fulfil his
task, and then we will soon find out the traitor; but if I mistake not,
that man was born to be hung."

We must now return to Mr Vanslyperken, who received the note from
Ramsay, just as he was going down to the boat. As he did not know what
steps were to be taken by government, he determined to go up to Ramsay,
and inform him of his order for immediately sailing.

He might gain further information from his letters, and also remove the
suspicion of his having betrayed him. Ramsay received Mr Vanslyperken
with an air of confidence.

"Sit down, Mr Vanslyperken, I wish to know whether there is any chance
of your sailing."

"I was about to come up to you to state that I have orders to sail this
evening."

"That is fortunate, as I intended to take a passage with you, and what
is more, Mr Vanslyperken, I have a large sum in specie, which we must
contrive to get on board. Cannot we contrive it, I cannot go
without it."

"A large sum in specie?" Vanslyperken reflected. "Yes, he would secure
Ramsay as a prisoner, and possess himself of the specie if he could.
His entrapping Ramsay on board would be another proof of his fidelity
and dexterity. But then Vanslyperken thought of the defection of the
corporal, but that was of no great consequence. The crew of the cutter
dare not disobey him, when they were ordered to seize a traitor."

While Vanslyperken was meditating this, Ramsay fixed his eyes upon him
waiting for his reply.

"It will be difficult," observed Vanslyperken, "to get the specie on
board without being seen."

"I'm afraid so too, but I have a proposition to make. Suppose you get
under way, and--heave to a mile outside, I will then come off in the
syndic's barge. I can have the use of it. Then nothing will be
discovered."

Vanslyperken appeared to reflect again.

"I shall still run a great risk, Mr Ramsay."

"You will run some little perhaps, but you will be well paid for it, I
promise you."

"Well, sir, I consent," replied Vanslyperken. "At what hour do you
propose to embark?"

"About eleven or a little earlier. You will have a light over the stern;
hail the boat when you see it coming, and I shall answer, 'King's
messenger, with despatches;' that will be a blind to your crew--they
supposed me a king's messenger before."

"Yes, that will be prudent," replied Vanslyperken, who then took his
leave with great apparent cordiality.

"Villain," muttered Ramsay, as Vanslype