"You have done well, Mr Vanslyperken," replied his Majesty. "And played a bold game," observed Lord Albemarle, fixing his eyes upon Vanslyperken. "Suppose you had been found out co-operating with traitors, before you made this discovery!" "I might have forfeited my life in my zeal," replied Mr Vanslyperken, with adroitness; "but that is the duty of a king's officer." "That is well said," observed the Duke of Portland. "I have a few questions to put to you, Mr Vanslyperken," observed his Majesty. "What is the cave they mention so often?" "It is on the bank of the Isle of Wight, your Majesty. I did not know of its existence, but from the letters--but I once laid a whole night in the cove underneath it, to intercept the smugglers, upon information that I had received, but the alarm was given, and they escaped." "Who is their agent at Portsmouth?" "A Jew of the name of Lazarus, residing in little Orange Street, at the back of the Point, your Majesty!" "Do you know of any of the names of the conspirators?" "I do not, your Majesty, except a woman, who is very active, one Moggy Salisbury--her husband not a month back, was the boatswain of the cutter, but by some interest or another, he has obtained his discharge." "My Lord of Portland, take a memorandum to inquire who it was applied for the discharge of that man. Mr Vanslyperken you may retire--we will call you in by-and-bye--you will be secret as to what has passed." "I have one more duty to perform," replied Vanslyperken, taking some rouleaus of gold out of his pocket; "this is the money received from the traitors--it is not for a king's officer to have it in his possession." "You are right, Mr Vanslyperken, but the gold of traitors is forfeited to the crown, and it is now mine, you will accept it as a present from your king." Mr Vanslyperken took the gold from the table, made a bow, and retired from the royal presence. The reader will acknowledge that it was impossible to play his cards better than Mr Vanslyperken had done in this interview, and that he deserved great credit for his astute conduct. With such diplomatic talents, he would have made a great prime minister. "The council was ordered at twelve o'clock, my lords. These letters must be produced. That they are genuine appears to me beyond a doubt." "That they are faithful copies, I doubt not," replied Lord Albemarle, "but--" "But what, my Lord Albemarle?" "I very much suspect the fidelity of the copier--there is something more that has not been told, depend upon it." "Why do you think so, my lord?"