hen they reached their inn. Though the Count was eager at once to set
out for the house of Mynheer Van Arent, the Baron declared that, without
his supper, he could not sing at all. By the time that was finished it
was dark.

"Now," said the Count, "let us go; even for you, Baron, I cannot wait
longer."

The Count, of course, carried his violin.

"As it is too late to present ourselves, we will remain outside among
the trees. You shall play an air, and I will sing a song, and we will
then go in and ascertain the effect," said the Baron.

They soon got to a part of the shrubbery where they could effectually
conceal themselves. Overhead they observed a tall tree--one of the
branches of which extended to the walls of the house.

"Now," whispered the Baron, "shall I sing, or will you commence an air
on your violin?"

"I will begin," said the Count, who was on the point of drawing the bow
across the strings, when the Baron grasped his arm.

"Hark!" he said; "look up there."

What was their astonishment to observe a figure climbing the ancient
tree they had remarked close above them. They, at all events, had not
been discovered. Higher and higher the person climbed, till he gained a
bough extending towards the house. Along it he made his way. When near
the end, he stopped and threw several pieces of a branch he broke off
against the shutter of a window, which was at no great distance from
where he stood.

The Count, thus interrupted in his intended serenade, with jealous eyes
watched the proceedings of the stranger, fully expecting that either
Vrouw Margaret or Vrouw Isabelle would appear at the window. At length
it opened, when, instead, the more portly form of Vrouw Van Arent
herself came into view. She gazed with open eyes at the stranger
standing up on the bough of the tree.

"Who are you, who thus, in so unseemly a way, ventures to disturb the
quiet of our abode?" she asked, in somewhat angry tones.

"Hist, hist, Vrouw Van Arent! I am Ten Dick Bunckum. Not wishing to
appear in the presence of your fair daughters, I have taken this method
of warning you of a danger which threatens your family. Yesterday
evening two persons were received in your house, who pretend to be a
Count and a Baron. I have strong evidence, if not proof positive, that
they are strolling musicians, who are travelling about the country to
prey on the unwary. My great desire is to put you on your guard against
them."

"I a