e which leads to the
Remonstrant Chapel of St. Pieter."

"There is, sir. I know it."

"This evening at seven o'clock then thou'lt take thy stand at the corner
of this passage facing the Oude Gracht; and there thou wilt remain to
ask alms from the passers-by. Thou'rt not afraid?"

"Afraid of what, sir?"

"The spot is lonely, the passage leads nowhere except to the chapel,
which has been deserted these past five years."

"I am not afraid."

"That's brave! After evensong is over at the cathedral, one or two
people will no doubt come thy way. Thou'lt beg them for alms in the
usual way. But anon a lady will come accompanied by a duenna and
preceded by two serving men carrying lanthorns. From her thou must ask
insistently, and tell her as sad a tale of woe as thou canst think on,
keeping well within the narrow passage and inducing her to follow thee."

"How shall I know the lady? There may be others who go past that way,
and who might also be escorted by a woman and two serving men."

"The men wear green and purple livery, with peaked green caps trimmed
with fur. Thou canst not mistake them even in the dark, for the light of
the lanthorns which they carry will be upon them. But I will be in the
passage close behind thee. When I see her coming I will warn thee."

"I understand," she said, nodding her head slowly once or twice as if
she were brooding over what she thought. "But surely that is not all
that I can do for thee."

"Indeed it is, and therefore none too difficult. Having drawn the lady
into the shadow by thy talk, contrive to speak to her, telling her of
thy troubles. If anything occurs after that to surprise or mayhap
frighten thee, pay no heed to it, but take at once to thy heels and run
straight home here, without looking to right or left. No one will molest
thee, I give thee my word."

"I understand!" she reiterated once more.

"And wilt thou do as I ask?"

"Of course. My life is thine; thou didst save it twice. Thou hast but to
command and I will obey."

"We'll call it that," he said lightly, "since it seems to please thee.
To-night then at seven o'clock, I too, will be on the spot to place the
fifty guilders in thy hand."

"Fifty guilders!" she exclaimed almost with ecstasy, and pressed her
hands to her breast. "My father and I need not starve or be homeless the
whole of this winter."

"Thou'lt make tracks for Spain very soon," he rejoined carelessly, for
he had accomplished his business and