Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/223

 that Moyses could suggest any plan more feasible, I was ready to adopt it. Neirinks having entrusted the secret of our intended enterprise to his sister Mary, a lass about eighteen, she sounded me on the subject, offering to go with us, as far as Brussels, and there wait our return. I need not describe the astonishment this proposal excited, but, it was not for me to question its propriety. I was, however, resolved her mother's consent should be first obtained, and I saw her for that purpose in the evening; when it was arranged, that we should travel as brother and sister, and Neirinks, as a wine-merchant. He gave me his pocket book, and I studied his signature, which I could soon execute "à merveille;" for, it may be proper to state, that in the examination of a traveller, when any doubt, as to identity arises, he is ordered to sign his name, and it is compared with the one in the passport; if they correspond, the gens d'armes seldom say more than "cela suffit," and he proceeds. On the evening of the 14th of April, Neirinks, the young lady, and myself, in high