Черный тюльпан
The Happy Man makes Acquaintance with Misfortune
“Now,whatisitagain,”hedemanded;“arepeoplegoingmadhere?”
“Oh,sir!sir!”criedtheservant,rushingintothedry-roomwithamuchpalerfaceandwithamuchmorefrightenedmienthanCraekehadshown.
“Well!”askedCornelius,forebodingsomemischieffromthedoublebreachofthestrictruleofhishouse.
“Oh,sir,fly!flyquick!”criedtheservant.
“Fly!andwhatfor?”
“Sir,thehouseisfulloftheguardsoftheStates.”
“Whatdotheywant?”
“Theywantyou.”
“Whatfor?”
“Toarrestyou.”
“Arrestme?arrestme,doyousay?”
“Yes,sir,andtheyareheadedbyamagistrate.”
“What’sthemeaningofallthis?”saidVanBaerle,graspinginhishandsthetwobulbs,anddirectinghisterrifiedglancetowardsthestaircase.
“Theyarecomingup!theyarecomingup!”criedtheservant.
“Oh,mydearchild,myworthymaster!”criedtheoldhousekeeper,whonowlikewisemadeherappearanceinthedry-room,“takeyourgold,yourjewelry,andfly,fly!”
“ButhowshallImakemyescape,nurse?”saidVanBaerle.
“Jumpoutofthewindow.”
“Twenty-fivefeetfromtheground!”
“Butyouwillfallonsixfeetofsoftsoil!”
“Yes,butIshouldfallonmytulips.”
“Nevermind,jumpout.”
Corneliustookthethirdbulb,approachedthewindowandopenedit,butseeingwhathavochewouldnecessarilycauseinhisborders,and,morethanthis,whataheighthewouldhavetojump,hecalledout,“Never!”andfellbackastep.
Atthismomenttheysawacrossthebanisterofthestaircasethepointsofthehalberdsofthesoldiersrising.
