Черный тюльпан
In which Van Baerle, before leaving Loewestein, settles Accounts with Gryphus
Mathiaswastakenwithintwelvehoursfromhiscell,thenledtothejailer’slodge,wherehewasregisteredasleavingLoewestein,thentakentotheEsplanade,fromwhichthereisaveryfineprospectoverawideexpanseofcountry.Theretheyfetteredhishands,bandagedhiseyes,andlethimsayhisprayers.
Hereuponhewasinvitedtogodownonhisknees,andtheguardsofLoewestein,twelveinnumber,atasignfromasergeant,verycleverlylodgedamusket-balleachinhisbody.
Inconsequenceofthisproceeding,Mathiasincontinentlydidthenandtheredie.
Corneliuslistenedwiththegreatestattentiontothisdelightfulrecital,andthensaid,—
“Ah!ah!withintwelvehours,yousay?”
“Yes,thetwelfthhourhadnotevenstruck,ifIrememberright,”saidtheguardwhohadtoldhimthestory.
“Thankyou,”saidCornelius.
Theguardstillhadthesmileonhisfacewithwhichheaccompaniedandasitwereaccentuatedhistale,whenfootstepsandajinglingofspurswereheardascendingthestair-case.
Theguardsfellbacktoallowanofficertopass,whoenteredthecellofCorneliusatthemomentwhentheclerkofLoewesteinwasstillmakingouthisreport.
“IsthisNo.11?”heasked.
“Yes,Captain,”answeredanon-commissionedofficer.
“ThenthisisthecelloftheprisonerCorneliusvanBaerle?”
“Exactly,Captain.”
“Whereistheprisoner?”
“HereIam,sir,”answeredCornelius,growingratherpale,notwithstandingallhiscourage.
“YouareDr.CorneliusvanBaerle?”askedhe,thistimeaddressingtheprisonerhimself.
“Yes,sir.”
“Thenfollowme.
