pennyworth of
any kind of seed, he would purchase it as a small reparation for his
intrusion on the time of so learned a man.

The shopman took the shilling and tossed upon the counter a packet of
pepper-cress seed.

Our hero pocketed it, and was leaving the shop; but paused on the
threshold and began to renew his apologies.

The little man had picked up his book again, and turned a deaf ear.

Tristram stepped out into the street. As he did so a hand was laid
on his arm, and a voice said in good English:

"I arrest you in the name of King William!"

CHAPTER X.

THE TRIBULATIONS OF TRISTRAM.

"I think there must be some mistake," said Tristram, as he turned in
surprise and saw a tall man of soldierly presence, with three
stalwart comrades immediately behind him.

"No mistake at all," said the tall man, with conviction. "My orders
are to arrest and convey you back to The Hague."

"But I am about to leave Holland, and this will cause me considerable
delay."

"Undoubtedly."

"In that case," Tristram replied, springing back a pace and whipping
out his sword, "I must decline to follow you."

"Bah! This is folly."

"On the contrary, it is the conclusion of a valid syllogism which I
will explain to you if you have time."

"Seize him!" was the only answer. The four men drew their swords and
rushed forward together. Perceiving that he must be skewered against
the shop door if he awaited their onset, Tristram contented himself
with disarming his foremost assailant; then, springing wildly back on
his left heel, he spun round and began to run down the street for
dear life.

His movement had been so sudden that he gained a dozen yards before
his enemies recovered from their surprise and set off in pursuit.
Sword in hand, Tristram flew along the causeway, under the high
garden-walls, for the open country and the windmills ahead. He heard
the feet pounding after him, but luckily did not look behind.
Therefore he was ignorant that his leading pursuer carried a brace of
pistols in his belt and was pulling one out as he ran.

It was so, however; and in half a minute the pistol cracked out
behind him--as it seemed, at the very back of his ear.

He sped on nevertheless, not knowing if he were wounded or not, but
very wisely deciding that this was the surest way to find out.

As it happened, this pistol-shot proved of the greatest service to
him. For an inquisitive burgher, hearing the outcries along th