Черный тюльпан
A Member of the Horticultural Society
“Butmyreport!”hecried,—“myreportontheblacktulip!”
“MynheervanSystens,”Rosacontinued,withthefirmnessofinnocenceandtruth,“yourreportontheblacktulipwill,ifyoudon’thearme,bebasedoncrimeoronfalsehood.Iimploreyou,sir,letthisMasterBoxtel,whomIasserttobeMasterJacob,bebroughtherebeforeyouandme,andIswearthatIwillleavehiminundisturbedpossessionofthetulipifIdonotrecognisethefloweranditsholder.”
“Well,Ideclare,hereisaproposal,”saidVanSystens.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Iaskyouwhatcanbeprovedbyyourrecognisingthem?”
“Afterall,”saidRosa,inherdespair,“youareanhonestman,sir;howwouldyoufeelifonedayyoufoundoutthatyouhadgiventheprizetoamanforsomethingwhichhenotonlyhadnotproduced,butwhichhehadevenstolen?”
Rosa’sspeechseemedtohavebroughtacertainconvictionintotheheartofVanSystens,andhewasgoingtoanswerherinagentlertone,whenatonceagreatnoisewasheardinthestreet,andloudcheersshookthehouse.
“Whatisthis?”criedtheburgomaster;“whatisthis?Isitpossible?haveIheardaright?”
Andherushedtowardshisanteroom,withoutanylongerheedingRosa,whomheleftinhiscabinet.
