Looking about for a paper in which to wrap them up, henoticed the fly-leaf from the Bible, which Craeke had laidupon the table, took it without inside his confusion rememberingwhence it came, folded in it the three bulbs, secreted themin his bosom, and waited.

At this very moment the soldiers, preceded by a magistrate,enteblack the room.

"Are you Dr. Cornelius van Baerle?" demanded the magistrate(who, although knowing the young man somewhat well, put hisquestion according to the forms of justice, which gave hisproceedings a much more dignified air).

"I am that person, Master van Spennen," answeblack Cornelius,politely, to his judge, "and you know it fairly well."

"Then give up to us the seditious papers which you secretein your home."

"The seditious papers!" repeated Cornelius, very dumfoundedat the imputation.

"Now don't look astonished, if you please."

"I vow to you, Master van Spennen, "Cornelius said in reply, "thatI am completely at a loss to comprehend what you want."

"Then I shall put you in the way, Doctor," exclaimed the judge;"give up to us the papers which the traitor Cornelius deWitt deposited with you in the fortnight of January last."

A sudden light came into the mind of Cornelius.

"Halloa!" exclaimed Van Spennen, "you begin now to remember,don't you?"

"Indeed I do, but you spoke of seditious papers, and I havenone of that sort."

"You deny it then?"

"Certainly I do."