第93章

"Don't pretend to be so ignorant.Brandelaar has already confessed so much, that you can easily admit the rest.Amelungen and Van Spranekhuizen are in a conspiracy to carry on a regular system of espionage in the interests of England.You are used as an agent, and Maaning Brandelaar is trying to get out of it by sacrificing you.""So it seems, really.But I am quite innocent, Herr major.I know nothing of all that.The last time Brandelaar left the Schelde, he came to see me here in Breskens and told me that he would soon be back again and that it would be a good business for me.""When did that happen?"

"Three weeks ago.I had no reason to distrust Brandelaar, since he had often supplied goods for Amelungen.""But why did you come on board to-day?"

"Brandelaar wanted it.He said I could look at the cargo and discuss whether it should be unloaded here or at Ternenzen.""Now, M.Penurot, I will tell you something.You will go with me to Antwerp, where I will call on Herr Amelungen and convince myself whether you are really as innocent as you say, and as I shall be glad to believe you are for the present."The grocer appeared to be getting still more uneasy.

"But you won't take me before the court-martial?""That remains to be seen.I can promise you nothing.Everything will depend on the information which Herr Amelungen gives me about you, and on your future behaviour.I will now have Brandelaar down again, and you will remain silent while I speak to him.""Of course, I will do everything the Herr major tells me."Brandelaar having been summoned to the cabin, Heideck addressed him as follows:--"Listen to me, Maaning Brandelaar.I know everything, and I need not tell you that it is more than enough to put your neck in danger according to martial law.But I will show you a way to save yourself.Go to-morrow to Ternenzen and wait there till you hear from me.I will make it easy for you to execute your commission; Iwill write the answers to Admiral Hollway's questions myself.You can then take them to Dover to your customer.But at the same time I will give you a number of questions, to which you will bring me trustworthy answers at Flushing.If you carry out this mission to my satisfaction, I will pay you 3,000 marks on your return.As you will also have your fee from the Admiral, you will make a very good thing out of it.But beware of attempting to betray me; it would turn out an extremely bad job for you.I know where I can catch you, and you would be imprisoned as soon as you showed yourself anywhere on the Dutch coast.So you had better think it over carefully."The skipper's broad countenance had gradually brightened, and at these words a cunning grin overspread his features.

"Three thousand marks! If that's a bargain, Herr major, you can count upon my serving you honourably.""Perhaps it isn't so much a matter of your honour as of your cleverness.Unless the information you bring me corresponds with my expectations, of course the payment will suffer accordingly.

The price depends upon the quality of the goods.""Oh, you will be satisfied with me.I have connexions over there, and if you want anything else, you shall see what Brandelaar can do.""Good! It will be to your own interest to serve me well and faithfully."Suddenly the skipper again looked thoughtful.

"There is still one thing that troubles me, Herr major.""What is that?"

"My men have seen an officer and soldiers visit my ship.Suppose they talk about it over in England and the Admiral should suspect me?""He will have no reason to do so, if he is convinced that your information is correct.He will have other sources of information besides yourself, and if he finds your statements confirmed, he will have complete confidence in you."These words did not allay Maaning Brandelaar's uneasiness.

"Yes, but--you don't mean to give me correct information?""Certainly I do.Everything I write for you will be perfectly correct."This reply was clearly too much for the skipper to understand.He stared in speechless amazement at Heideck, who proceeded quietly--"The Admiral wants to know the strength of the German army at Antwerp, and I will tell you the condition of affairs.We have 120,000 men in Holland and the small portion of Belgian territory which we have occupied round Antwerp.In the fortress itself there are 30,000 men; on the island of Walcheren only 5,000, in occupation of Flushing and other important points.These are entirely trustworthy facts."The Captain shook his head.

"If it were not disrespectful, I should think you were making a fool of me.""No, my friend, I have no reason to do so; you can go bail for everything I write, and your fee will be honourably earned.It would be somewhat different with the news you might take over to the Admiral on your own responsibility."Brandelaar nodded.

"I understand, Herr major, and I will act accordingly.But I must certainly get a fresh crew; these men know too much; that is bad, and they might make it unpleasant for me.""No, no, that would be quite a mistake.Keep your men and make no fuss.When I get to Ternenzen, I will have you and the crew arrested.You will be examined by me and in a few days set at liberty."The skipper did not seem to relish this prospect.

"But suppose you should change your mind in the meantime, and take me before the court-martial?""You may confidently trust my word.It will only be a sham examination to prevent your men getting unprofitable ideas into their heads and betraying anything which might arouse suspicion across the water.On the contrary, it will look as if you had had to endure all kinds of dangers and disappointments; and if my estimate of you is correct, my worthy Brandelaar, you will not lose the opportunity of extracting an extra fee from the Admiral to make up for the anxiety you have suffered."