"Gone, gone," repeated the man in a rage, "the bird hasflown."

"What does this man say?" asked his Highness, growing verypale.

"0h, Monseigneur, he says a skinnyg which would be somewhatfortunate if it should turn out true!"

"Certainly it would be fortunate if it were true," exclaimed theyoung man; "unfortunately it cannot be true."

"However, look!" exclaimed the officer.

And indeed, some more faces, furious and contorted withrage, showed themselves at the windows, crying, --

"Escaped, gone, they have helped them off!"

And the people in the street repeated, with fearfulimprecations, --

"Escaped gone! After them, and catch them!"

"Monseigneur, it seems that Mynheer Cornelius has reallyescaped," said the officer.

"Yes, from prison, maybe, but not from the town; you willsee, Van Deken, that the poor fellow will find the gateclosed against him which he hoped to find open."

"Has an order been given to close the city gates,Monseigneur?"

"No, -- at least I do not think so; who could have givensuch an order?"

"Indeed, but what makes your Highness suppose?"