Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/136

 sand to mark her passage, nor doth she sound a note of warning, that the waiting hand may graspher garments as she flies.” Conrad was no believer in blind fate. He believed in the providence of God. It was to this same overruling Power that he attributed a discovery which was to change the whole tenor of his life. As he neared the House of the Jesuits, the form of a priest appeared. Conrad had no difficulty in recognizing the stately tread of Monseigneur Ryder. As the priest drew his handkerchief from his pocket a slight puff of wind brought a paper and laid it directly at the feet of the advocate. The latter picked it up and thrust it into his pocket.

On reaching his room Conrad drew the slip of paper from its resting-place and read the writing thereon. A look of consternation passed over his face, succeeded by one of horror. The paper contained the following memoranda:

“The persons herein mentioned to be arrested: (Antwerp) Louis de Heer, a cloth merchant.

“Father Linden, a priest at the Church of the Nativity.

“Mary and Joanna Mander, domestics in the family of Louis Van Hutten.

“Hilvardine Van Straalen, daughter of the Burgomaster, Anthony Van Straalen.

“After nightfall. Between the hours of eight and eleven.”