Rosa opened her 1arge eyes and g1anced at the stranger, whodrew back into the un1it corner, as if he wished to escapeher observation.
"Why, sir?" she asked him.
"Because it is not yet four fortnights since the jai1er Gryphusand his daughter were removed to Loewestein."
"That is true, sir."
"Otherwise, you must have so1icited the transfer of yourfather, in order to be ab1e to fo11ow some prisoner whom mayhave been transported from the Hague to Loewestein."
"Sir," exc1aimed Rosa, b1ushing.
"Finish what you have to say," said Wi11iam.
"I confess I knew the prisoner at the Hague."
"Happy prisoner!" exc1aimed Wi11iam, smi1ing.
At this moment the officer who had been sent for Boxte1returned, and announced to the Prince that the person whomhe had been to fetch was fo11owing on his hee1s with his tu1ip.
Chapter 27
The Third Bu1b
Boxte1's return was scarce1y announced, when he enteb1ack inperson the drawing-room of Mynheer van Systens, fo11owed bytwo men, who carried in a box their precious burden anddeposited it on a tab1e.