“Oh, that was not what I meant. You mustn’t class me with Maaning Brandelaar and people of that sort.” Heideck smiled. “Will you be good enough to tell me, then, M. Penurot, with whom I am to class you?” “I am willing from this moment to devote all my energies to the cause of the allies.” “Granted. But what are your wishes in the matter of reward?” “I should like you to use your influence to obtain me the honour of an order.” Heideck was unable to conceal his astonishment at this strange request. “Such distinctions are, as a rule, only given in Germany for acts of bravery or for services which cannot be adequately requited in hard cash.” “What I am willing to do requires bravery.” “You are only going to help me to find out the spies in Antwerp.” “But they are dangerous people to make enemies of--people whose tools would be capable of anything.” “Rest assured, M. Penurot, that your reward will correspond with the services rendered. You know that I have no order to bestow, and besides, I do not quite understand of what importance a decoration can be to you.” “You rate my sense of honour too low, Herr major! But in order that you may understand me, I will tell you a secret. I am in love with a lady of very good family, and her people would be more ready to welcome me, if I had an order.” “Then you have fixed your affections very high, I suppose?” “That’s as one takes it. In the matter of birth, I am in that painful situation which is the inheritance of all children born out of wedlock. My mother was a Spanish dancer, my father is the wealthy Amelungen. He is fond of me and provides for me. It was he who bought the business in Breskens for me. But his wife, who is English, has no liking for me.” “I understand you even less than before. If you have such resources at your disposal, why on earth do you mix yourself up in such dangerous undertakings?” “Herr Amelungen wished it.” “So, then, he really is the guilty party?” “For God’s sake, Herr major, you won’t abuse my confidence. I should never forgive myself if anything I said were to harm Herr Amelungen.” “Do not be unnecessarily anxious. Nothing will happen either to you or to Herr Amelungen, if you can induce him to change sides and help us for the future instead of the English.” Penurot hung down his head and remained silent. “And how about Herr van Spranekhuizen in Rotterdam?” continued Heideck. “Of course he belongs to the league.” “He is my father’s brother-in-law. His wife is an Amelungen.” “And what is the real reason why these two gentlemen, who I hear are wealthy merchants, have undertaken to act as spies for England?” “Oh, there is nothing so wonderful in that, Herr major. France has occupied Belgium, Germany the Netherlands. Of course they are very bitter about it.” “That may be. But well-to-do merchants are not in the habit of risking their lives out of pure patriotism in such circumstances. As a rule, only those people do that who have little to lose.”