(4) That this plan would be best put into execution by proving the lover to be a heretic, but if unhappily this could not be proved because he was not, still he must figure in that capacity for this occasion only.

(5) That meanwhile it would be well to cultivate the society of Mynheer van Goorl as much as possible, first because he was a person with whom, under the circumstances, he, Montalvo, would naturally wish to become intimate, and secondly, because he was quite certain to be an individual with cash to lend.
Now, these researches after heretics invariably cost money, for they involved the services of spies.

Obviously, therefore, friend Dirk, the Dutch Flounder, was a man to provide the butter in which he was going to be fried.

Why, if any Hollander had a spark of humour he would see the joke of it himself--and Montalvo ended his reflections as he had begun them, with a merry peal of laughter, after which he rose and ate a most excellent breakfast.
It was about half-past five o'clock that afternoon before the Captain and Acting-Commandant Montalvo returned from some duty to which he had been attending, for it may be explained that he was a zealous officer and a master of detail.

As he entered his lodgings the soldier who acted as his servant, a man selected for silence and discretion, saluted and stood at attention.
"Is the woman here ?" he asked.
"Excellency, she is here, though I had difficulty enough in persuading her to come, for I found her in bed and out of humour." "Peace to your difficulties.