A confidential agent of the merchant was also ordered to keep at a distance, but to watch every movement, however minute and insignificant, of the suspected man.
The captain's report was soon given in.

He had asked the man if he wanted a berth in a ship just going to sail for England, one of the crew having fallen sick at the last moment.

He had refused, as he belonged to a boat just about to sail for Bergen op Zoom, and he had nodded towards a large decked boat riding in the river.

Fearing to excite suspicion, he had asked no further question, but had turned to another man standing near, and asked him if he would make the voyage.
It was considered certain by Rupert and Van Duyk that Maria was either already confined in that boat, or that she would be taken there when it was considered safe to start.

A close scrutiny of the boat with a telescope showed that two men were on board her.