Черный тюльпан
The Pupil of John de Witt
Andindeedthesallowphysiognomy,thethinandsicklybody,andtheprowlingwaysofthestranger,weretheverytypeofasuspectingmaster,oranunquietthief;andapoliceofficerwouldcertainlyhavedecidedinfavourofthelattersupposition,onaccountofthegreatcarewhichthemysteriouspersonevidentlytooktohidehimself.
Hewasplainlydressed,andapparentlyunarmed;hisarmwasleanbutwiry,andhishandsdry,butofanaristocraticwhitenessanddelicacy,andheleanedontheshoulderofanofficer,who,withhishandonhissword,hadwatchedthescenesintheBuytenhofwitheagercuriosity,verynaturalinamilitaryman,untilhiscompaniondrewhimawaywithhim.
OnarrivingatthesquareoftheHoogstraet,themanwiththesallowfacepushedtheotherbehindanopenshutter,fromwhichcornerhehimselfbegantosurveythebalconyoftheTown-hall.
Atthesavageyellsofthemob,thewindowoftheTown-hallopened,andamancameforthtoaddressthepeople.
“Whoisthatonthebalcony?”askedtheyoungman,glancingattheorator.
“ItistheDeputyBowelt,”repliedtheofficer.
“Whatsortofamanishe?Doyouknowanythingofhim?”
“Anhonestman;atleastIbelieveso,Monseigneur.”
HearingthischaractergivenofBowelt,theyoungmanshowedsignsofsuchastrangedisappointmentandevidentdissatisfactionthattheofficercouldnotbutremarkit,andthereforeadded,—
“Atleastpeoplesayso,Monseigneur.Icannotsayanythingaboutitmyself,asIhavenopersonalacquaintancewithMynheerBowelt.
