Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/150

124 “Then have I surely been deceived. Oh, God be praised that He has answered my prayer! But tell me, brave little fellow, how camest thou to know what only one of my confidential servants has whispered to me, and  how camest thou all this way to undeceive  me? Methinks too, thou hast assumed something of a disguise.” Then Gysbert told him the circumstances of the finding of the  paper, and much about Dirk Willumhoog. From this the Prince beguiled him into telling about how he had made expeditions with messages through the Spanish army, and  how his sister was helping care for the sick  and plague-stricken in Leyden, and many  details about the condition of the city. When he had finished he was emboldened to ask the Prince how it was that the house had  no attendants, especially when he lay so ill.

“Truly it must seems strange!” answered William the Silent. “I have the kindest of servants, and the, best medical attendance,  but it so happens that I have sent all off this