"I don't know any Admiral Hollway, and I have never been in Dover in my
life."

"Well, well! Let us talk about your business--or yours, M. Penurot. Of
course the cargo of herrings which you want to buy is not meant to be
sold at Breskens, but to some business friend at Antwerp? isn't it so?"

No answer was given. Heideck, as if it were the most natural thing in
the world, turned to the cupboard and, before the others had grasped his
intention, took out the second white loaf and broke it in two. This time
a folded paper came to light. Heideck spread it out and saw that it was
covered with a long list of questions written in English.

"Look here," said he, "the gentleman who had this paper baked with
your breakfast bread must be confoundedly curious. 'How strong is
the garrison of Antwerp? What regiments? What batteries? Who are the
commanders of the outer fort? What is the exact plan of the flooded
district? How is the population disposed towards the German troops? How
many German men-of-war are there in the harbour and in the Schelde? How
are they distributed? Exact information as to the number of cannon and
crews of all the men-of-war. How many and which ships of the German
navigation companies are allotted to the German fleet? How many troops
are there on the island of Walcheren? How many in the neighbourhood of
Antwerp? How are the troops distributed on both banks of the Schelde?
Are troops ready to be put on board the men-of-war and transports? Has
a date been settled for that? Is there a plan for employing the German
fleet? What is said about the German fleet joining the French?' That is
only a small portion of the long list; but it is quite enough for anyone
to guess at the nature of the rest of the questions. What the deuce!
Admiral Hollway would like to learn everything for his paltry thirty
pounds! or were they only a little on account? I cannot believe, M.
Penurot, that your Antwerp correspondent would be willing to sell so
much for thirty pounds."

The two men were clearly overwhelmed by the weight of the unexpected
blow. For a moment, when Heideck drew the paper out of the bread, it
looked as if Brandelaar would have thrown himself upon him and attempted
to tear it from him by force. But the thought of the soldiers probably
restrained him opportunely from such an act of folly. He stood where he
was with tightly compressed lips and spitefully glistening eyes.

"I don't understand you, Herr major," excl