The result was that Gerard, whose dominating idea amounted to mania, proceeded in his own way.

His first step was to ingratiate himself with the Prince of Orange.

This he did by a series of misrepresentations and fraud, and was recommended by the Prince to the Signeur of Schoneval, who on leaving Delft on a mission to the Duke of Anjou, added him to his suite.
The death of the Duke gave Gerard his chance, and he obtained permission to carry despatches to the Prince of Orange, as we have seen.

The Prince received him in his bedroom, after his wont.

Motley now relates the tragedy: "Here was an opportunity such as he (Gerard) had never dared to hope for.