"Yes, that is my Captain, Mynheer Philip Vanderdecken; and that is my
first mate, Mynheer Krantz; both of the good ship _Utrecht_: we were
wrecked together, were we not, Mynheer? He! he!" "Sangue de--Vanderdecken! the husband? Corpo del Diavolo--is it
possible?" cried the Commandant, panting for breath, as he seized his
long sword with both hands, and clenched it with fury--"What then, I
have been deceived, cajoled, laughed at!" Then, after a pause--the
veins of his forehead distending so as almost to burst--he continued,
with a suppressed voice, "Most noble sir, I thank you; but now it is
my turn.--What, ho! there! Corporal--men, here instantly--quick!" Philip and Krantz felt convinced that all denial was useless. Philip
folded his arms and made no reply. Krantz merely observed, "A little
reflection will prove to you, sir, that this indignation is not
warranted." "Not warranted!" rejoined the Commandant with a sneer; "you have
deceived me; but you are caught in your own trap. I have the paper
signed, which I shall not fail to make use of. _You_ are dead, you
know, captain; I have your own hand to it, and your wife will be glad
to believe it." "She has deceived you, Commandant, to get out of your power, nothing
more," said Vanderdecken. "She would spurn a contemptible withered
wretch like yourself, were she as free as the wind." "Go on, go on; it will be my turn soon. Corporal, throw these two men
into the dungeon: a sentry at the door till further orders. Away with
them. Most noble sir, perhaps your influential friends in Holland and
Spain will enable you to get out again." Philip and Krantz were led away by the soldiers, who were very much
surprised at this change of treatment. Schriften followed them; and
as they walked across the rampart to the stairs which led to their
prison, Krantz, in his fury, burst from the soldiers, and bestowed a
kick upon Schriften which sent him several feet forward on his face. "That was a good one--he! he!" cried Schriften, smiling and looking at
Krantz as he regained his legs. There was an eye, however, which met theirs with an intelligent
glance, as they descended the stairs to the dungeon. It was that of
the soldier Pedro. It told them that there was one friend upon whom
they could rely, and who would spare no endeavour to assist them in
their new difficulty. It was a consolation to them both; a ray of hope
which cheered them as they once more descended the narrow steps, and
heard the heavy key turned which again secured them in their dungeon. Chapter XXXIII


"Thus are all our hopes wrecked," said Philip, mournfully; "what
chance have we now of escaping from this little tyrant?" "Chances turn up," replied Krantz; "at present, the prospect is not
very cheering. Let us hope for the best." "I have an idea in my head which may probably be turned to some
account," added Krantz; "as soon as the little man's fury is over." "Which is--"

"That, much as he likes your wife, there is something which he likes
quite as well--money. Now, as we know where all the treasure is
concealed, I think he may be tempted to offer us our liberty, if we
were to promise to put it into his possession." "That is not impossible. Confound that little malignant wretch
Schriften; he certainly is not, as you say, of this world. He has been
my persecutor through life, and appears to act from an impulse not his
own." "Then must he be part and portion of your destiny. I'm thinking
whether our noble Commandant intends to leave us without anything to
eat or drink." "I should not be surprised: that he will attempt my life I am
convinced of, but not that he can take it; he may, however, add to its
sufferings." As soon as the Commandant had recovered from his fury, he ordered
Schriften in, to be examined more particularly; but after every search
made for him, Schriften was no where to be found. The sentry at the
gate declared that he had not passed; and a new search was ordered,
but in vain. Even the dungeons and galleries below were examined, but
without success. "Can he be locked up with the other prisoners?" thought the
Commandant: "impossible--but I will go and see." He descended and opened the door of the dungeon, looked in, and was
about to return without speaking, when Krantz said, "Well, signor,
this is kind treatment, after having lived so long and so amicably
together; to throw us into prison merely because a fellow declares
that we are not what we represented ourselves to be; perhaps you will
allow us a little water to drink?" The Commandant, confused by the extraordinary disappearance of
Schriften, hardly knew how to reply. He at last said in a milder tone
than was to be anticipated, "I will order them to bring some, signor." He then closed the door of the dungeon and disappeared. "Strange," observed Philip, "he appears more pacified already." In a few minutes the door was again opened, and Pedro came in with a
chatty of water. "He has disappeared like magic, signors, and is no where to be found. We have searched everywhere, but in vain." "Who?--the little old seaman?" "Yes, he whom you kicked as you were led to prison. The people all
say, that it must have been a ghost. The sentry declares that he never
left the fort, nor came near him; so, how he has got away is a riddle,
which I perceive, has frightened our Commandant not a little." Krantz gave a long whistle as he looked at Philip. "Are you to have charge of us, Pedro?" "I hope so." "Well, tell the Commandant that when he is ready to listen to me, I
have something of importance to communicate." Pedro went out. "Now, Philip, I can frighten this little man into allowing us to go
free, if you will consent to say that you are not the husband of
Amine." "That I cannot do, Krantz. I will not utter such a falsehood." "I was afraid so, and yet it appears to me that we may avail ourselves
of duplicity to meet cruelty and injustice. Unless you do as I
propose, I hardly know how I can manage it; however, I will try what I
can do." "I will assist you in every way, except disclaiming my wife: that I
never will do." "Well then, I will see if I can make up a story that will suit all
parties: let me think." Krantz continued musing as he walked up and down, and was still
occupied with his own thoughts when the door opened, and the
Commandant made his appearance. "You have something to impart to me, I understand--what is it?" "First, sir, bring that little wretch down here and confront him with
us." "I see no occasion for that," replied the Commandant; "what, sir, may
you have to say?" "Do you know who you have in your company when you speak to that
one-eyed deformity?" "A Dutch sailor, I presume." "No--a spirit--a demon--who occasioned the loss of the vessel; and who
brings misfortune wherever he appears." "Holy Virgin! What do you tell me, signor?" "The fact, signor Commandant. We are obliged to you for confining us
here, while he is in the fort; but beware for yourself." "You are laughing at me."