Had it not been for the postscript, Rupert would have deferred his visit to Dort until after his return from England, but the news caused him serious uneasiness.  He knew but too well the unscrupulous nature of this desperate man, whom he had heard of since his last attempt upon his life as being a leader of one of the bands of freebooters who, formed of deserters and other desperate men, frequented the Black Forest, the Vosges mountains, the Ardennes, and other forests and hill districts.  That he would dare lead his band down into the plains of Holland, Rupert had no fear; still he could have no difficulty in finding men of ruined fortunes even there to join in any wild attempt.

Leaving the army when it went into winter quarters, Rupert travelled by land to Bonn, and there picked up Hugh, who was now completely restored to health, and then, taking boat, journeyed down the Rhine.  Then he took horse again, and rode to Dort.

Mynheer van Duyk and Maria were delighted to see him; and Hugh and Sedley were hospitably received by the servants, with whom Hugh had, on the occasion of his last visit, made himself a prime favourite.

For the first day of their arrival Rupert had all the talking to do, and his adventures to relate from the time he set sail from Dort.  He had of course written from time to time, but his letters, although fairly full, did not contain a tithe of the detail which his friends were anxious to learn.  The next morning, after breakfast, he asked his host if he was unwell, for he looked worn and anxious.

“I am well in body, but disturbed in mind,” he said.  “Six months ago I stood well with my fellow citizens, and few were more popular in Dort than myself.  Now, save among the better class, men look askance at me.  Subtle whispers have gone abroad that I am in correspondence with France; that I am a traitor to Holland; that I correspond with the Spanish at Antwerp.  In vain have I tried to force an open accusation, in order that I might disperse it.  The merchants, and others of my rank, scoff at these rumours, and have in full council denounced their authors as slanderers; but the lower class still hold to their belief.  Men scowl as I walk along; the boys shout ‘Traitor!’ after me; and I have received threatening letters.”

“But this is abominable,” Rupert said, hotly.  “Is there no way of dealing with these slanderers?”

“No,” the merchant said; “I see none, beyond living it down.  Some enemy is at work, steadily and powerfully.”

“Have you any enemy you suspect?”

“None, save indeed that rascal countryman of yours.  He is desperate, and, as you know, relentless.  My house has always been guarded by six stout fellows since we returned from the Hague; and any open attempt to carry off my daughter would be useless.  It is difficult to see what he proposes to himself by stirring up a party against me; but he might have some scheme which we cannot fathom.  Our Dutchmen are slow but obstinate, and once they get an idea in their head it is difficult to discharge.”