prisoner of state about
the cultivation of flowers."

"So it is, sir," Rosa murmured in dismay; "yes, I am bound to confess, I
saw him every day."

"Unfortunate girl!" exclaimed Van Systens.

The Prince, observing the fright of Rosa and the pallor of the
President, raised his head, and said, in his clear and decided tone,--

"This cannot signify anything to the members of the Horticultural
Society; they have to judge on the black tulip, and have no cognizance
to take of political offences. Go on, young woman, go on."

Van Systens, by means of an eloquent glance, offered, in the name of the
tulip, his thanks to the new member of the Horticultural Society.

Rosa, reassured by this sort of encouragement which the stranger was
giving her, related all that had happened for the last three months,
all that she had done, and all that she had suffered. She described the
cruelty of Gryphus; the destruction of the first bulb; the grief of
the prisoner; the precautions taken to insure the success of the
second bulb; the patience of the prisoner and his anxiety during their
separation; how he was about to starve himself because he had no longer
any news of his tulip; his joy when she went to see him again; and,
lastly, their despair when they found that the tulip which had come into
flower was stolen just one hour after it had opened.

All this was detailed with an accent of truth which, although producing
no change in the impassible mien of the Prince, did not fail to take
effect on Van Systens.

"But," said the Prince, "it cannot be long since you knew the prisoner."

Rosa opened her large eyes and looked at the stranger, who drew back
into the dark corner, as if he wished to escape her observation.

"Why, sir?" she asked him.

"Because it is not yet four months since the jailer Gryphus and his
daughter were removed to Loewestein."

"That is true, sir."

"Otherwise, you must have solicited the transfer of your father, in
order to be able to follow some prisoner who may have been transported
from the Hague to Loewestein."

"Sir," said Rosa, blushing.

"Finish what you have to say," said William.

"I confess I knew the prisoner at the Hague."

"Happy prisoner!" said William, smiling.

At this moment the officer who had been sent for Boxtel returned, and
announced to the Prince that the person whom he had been to fetch was
following on his heels with his tulip.

Chapter 27. The Third Bulb

Boxtel's