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 Vanslyperken shut the door, "I know your thoughts." We must pass over the remainder of this eventful day. Wilhelmina had procured the dress of a boy, in which disguise she proposed to elope with Ramsay, and all her preparations were made long before the time. Mynheer Krause was also occupied in getting his specie ready for embarkation, and Ramsay in writing letters. The despatches from the Hague came down about nine o'clock, and Vanslyperken received them on board. About ten he weighed and made sail, and hove-to about a mile outside, with a light shown as agreed. About the time arranged, a large boat appeared pulling up to the cutter, "Boat, a-hoy!" "King's messenger with despatches," was the reply. "All's right," said Vanslyperken; "get a rope there, from forward."