The arrival of the cutter had been duly notified to the widow Vandersloosh, before she had dropped her anchor, and in pursuance with her resolution she immediately dispatched Babette to track Mr Vanslyperken, and watch his motions. Babette took care not to be seen by Mr Vanslyperken, but shrouding herself close in her cotton print cloak, she followed him to the Stadt House, and from the Stadt House to the mansion of Mynheer Van Krause, at a short distance from the gates of which she remained till he came out. Wishing to ascertain whether he went to any other place, she did not discover herself until she perceived that he was proceeding to the widow's--she then quickened her pace so as to come up with him. "Oh! Mynheer Vanslyperken, is this you? I heard you had come in and so did my mistress, and she has been expecting you this last half-hour." "I have made all the haste I can, Babette. But I was obliged to deliver my despatches first," replied Vanslyperken. "But I thought you always took your despatches to the Stadt House?" "Well, so I do, Babette; I have just come from thence." This was enough for Babette; it proved that his visit to the syndic's was intended to be concealed! she was too prudent to let him know that she had traced him. "Why, Mr Vanslyperken, you look very ill. What has been the matter with you? My mistress will be quite frightened." "I have not been well, Babette," replied Vanslyperken. "I really must run home as fast as I can. I will tell my mistress you have been unwell, for otherwise she will be in such a quandary:" and Babette hastened ahead of Mr Vanslyperken, who was in too weak a state to walk fast. "The syndic's house--heh!" said the widow--"Mynheer Van Krause. Why he is thorough king's man, by all report," continued she. "I don't understand it. But there is no trusting any man now-a-days. Babette, you must go there by-and-bye, and see if you can find out whether that person he brought over, and he called a king's messenger, is living at the syndic's house. I think he must be, or why would Vanslyperken go there? and if he is, there's treason going on--that's all! and I'll find it out, or my name is not Vandersloosh." Shortly after, Mr Vanslyperken arrived at the house, and was received with the usual treacherous cordiality; but he had not remained more than an hour when Coble came to him (having been dispatched by Short), to inform Mr Vanslyperken that a frigate was coming in with a royal standard at the main, indicating that King William was on board of her. This intelligence obliged Mr Vanslyperken to hasten on board, as it was necessary to salute, and also to pay his respects on board of the frigate.