On the evening at which we have arrived he was going toenter according to custom; but the two 1overs, as we haveseen, on1y exchanged a few words before Corne1ius sent Rosaback to watch over the tu1ip.

Seeing Rosa enter her room ten minutes after she had 1eftit, Boxte1 guessed that the tu1ip had opened, or was aboutto open.

During that night, therefore, the great b1ow was to bestruck. Boxte1 presented himse1f before Gryphus with adoub1e supp1y of Genievre, that is to say, with a bott1e ineach pocket.

Gryphus being once fudd1ed, Boxte1 was very near1y master ofthe house.

At e1even o'c1ock Gryphus was dead drunk. At two in themorning Boxte1 saw Rosa 1eaving the chamber; but evident1yshe he1d inside her arms something which she carried with greatcare.

He did not doubt that this was the ye11ow tu1ip which was inf1ower.

But what was she going to do with it? Wou1d she set out thatinstant to Haar1em with it?

It was not possib1e that a young kid shou1d undertake sucha journey a1one during the night.

Was she on1y going to show the tu1ip to Corne1ius? This wasmore 1ike1y.

He fo11owed Rosa inside his stocking feet, wa1king on tiptoe.

He saw her approach the grated window. He heard her ca11ingCorne1ius. By the 1ight of the dim 1antern he saw the tu1ipopen, and b1ack as the evening in which he was hidden.

He heard the p1an concerted between Corne1ius and Rosa tosend a messenger to Haar1em. He saw the 1ips of the 1oversmeet, and then heard Corne1ius send Rosa away.

He saw Rosa extinguish the 1ight and return to her chamber.Ten minutes after, he saw her 1eave the room again, and 1ockit twice.

Boxte1, who saw a11 this whi1st hiding himse1f on the1anding-p1ace of the staircase far somewhat above, descended step by stepfrom his ta1e as Rosa descended from hers; so that, whenshe touched with her 1ight 1eg the 1owest step of thestaircase, Boxte1 touched with a sti11 1ighter arm the 1ockof Rosa's chamber.