ily admit the rest. Amelungen and Van
Spranekhuizen are in a conspiracy to carry on a regular system of
espionage in the interests of England. You are used as an agent, and
Maaning Brandelaar is trying to get out of it by sacrificing you."

"So it seems, really. But I am quite innocent, Herr major. I know
nothing of all that. The last time Brandelaar left the Schelde, he came
to see me here in Breskens and told me that he would soon be back again
and that it would be a good business for me."

"When did that happen?"

"Three weeks ago. I had no reason to distrust Brandelaar, since he had
often supplied goods for Amelungen."

"But why did you come on board to-day?"

"Brandelaar wanted it. He said I could look at the cargo and discuss
whether it should be unloaded here or at Ternenzen."

"Now, M. Penurot, I will tell you something. You will go with me to
Antwerp, where I will call on Herr Amelungen and convince myself whether
you are really as innocent as you say, and as I shall be glad to believe
you are for the present."

The grocer appeared to be getting still more uneasy.

"But you won't take me before the court-martial?"

"That remains to be seen. I can promise you nothing. Everything will
depend on the information which Herr Amelungen gives me about you, and
on your future behaviour. I will now have Brandelaar down again, and you
will remain silent while I speak to him."

"Of course, I will do everything the Herr major tells me."

Brandelaar having been summoned to the cabin, Heideck addressed him as
follows:--

"Listen to me, Maaning Brandelaar. I know everything, and I need
not tell you that it is more than enough to put your neck in danger
according to martial law. But I will show you a way to save yourself. Go
to-morrow to Ternenzen and wait there till you hear from me. I will make
it easy for you to execute your commission; I will write the answers to
Admiral Hollway's questions myself. You can then take them to Dover
to your customer. But at the same time I will give you a number of
questions, to which you will bring me trustworthy answers at Flushing.
If you carry out this mission to my satisfaction, I will pay you 3,000
marks on your return. As you will also have your fee from the Admiral,
you will make a very good thing out of it. But beware of attempting to
betray me; it would turn out an extremely bad job for you. I know where
I can catch you, and you would be imprisoned as soon as you showed