Meantime Peter had drawn Hans aside from the rest. "How did you know it was my purse?" he asked. "You paid me three guilders yesterday, mynheer, for making the white-wood chain, telling me that I must buy skates." "Yes, I remember." "I saw your purse then; it was of yellow leather." "And where did you find it to-day?" "I left my home this morning, mynheer, in great trouble, and as I skated, I took no heed until I stumbled against some lumber, and while I was rubbing my knee I saw your purse nearly hidden under a log." "That place! Ah, I remember, now; just as we were passing it I pulled my tippet from my pocket, and probably flirted out the purse at the same time. It would have been gone but for you, Hans. Here"--pouring out the contents--"you must give us the pleasure of dividing the money with you----" "No, mynheer," answered Hans. He spoke quietly, without pretence, or any grace of manner, but Peter, somehow, felt rebuked, and put the silver back without a word. "I like that boy, rich or poor," he thought to himself, then added aloud, "May I ask about this trouble of yours, Hans?" "Ah, mynheer, it is a sad case--but I have waited here too long. I am going to Leyden to see the great Dr. Boekman----" "Dr. Boekman!" exclaimed Peter in astonishment. "Yes, mynheer, and I have not a moment to lose. Good day!" "Stay, I am going that way. Come, my lads! Shall we return to Haarlem?" "Yes," cried the boys, eagerly--and off they started. "Now," said Peter, drawing near Hans, both skimming the ice so easily and lightly as they skated on together that they seemed scarce conscious of moving, "we are going to stop at Leyden, and if you are going there only with a message to Dr. Boekman cannot I do the errand for you? The boys may be too tired to skate so far to-day, but I will promise to see him early to-morrow if he is to be found in the city." "Ah, mynheer, that would be serving me indeed; it is not the distance I dread, but leaving my mother so long." "Is she ill?"