“We will search every house,” the burgomaster said, “from cellar to roof.”

“It would be useless,” Rupert said.  “There must be secret hiding places where she could be stowed away, bound and gagged perhaps, and which you could never detect.  I would lose no moment of time in sending out horsemen to every village on either side of the river above and below us, for a circle of twenty miles.  If horsemen have passed through, some villager or other is sure to have been awoke by the clatter of the horses.  If we get news, we must follow up the traces wherever they go.  If not, it will be strong proof that they are still here.  In any case, our pursuit all over the country will lead them to think that we have no suspicion that she is here, and we shall have far more chance of lighting upon a clue than if they thought we suspected it.  Get trusty men to work at once.  Question the prisoners your men have taken, with some sharp pain that will wring the truth from them; but let all be done quietly; while on the other hand, let the chase through the country be as active and public as possible.”

Threats, and the application of a string twisted round the thumb, and tightened until the blood spurted from beneath the nails—­rough modes of questioning which had not yet died out—­soon elicited from the captives the place where the arch-conspirator had been staying while he laid the train for the explosion; but, as was expected, a search showed that the bird had flown, without leaving a trace behind him.

Then, as there was nothing more to do until morning, and two score of horsemen had been sent off in different directions, and the officers most acquainted with the haunts of the bad characters were set quietly at work to search for some clue that might help to find the hiding place of Maria, the magistrates took their leave with many expressions of regret and commiseration with the merchant, and with confession of a consciousness of deep fault that they had not taken to heart his warnings.

Long ere this the bodies of the score of rioters who had fallen on the stairs, hall, and passages had been removed; and leaving the afflicted merchant for awhile to his thoughts, Rupert retired to his room, telling Hugh and Joe to follow him.  He explained to them exactly the steps which had been taken, and his opinion as to the true state of things; and bade them think the matter over in every light, and to come to him at daybreak, and let him know if any plan for the conduct of the search had occurred to them.

The result of the night’s thoughts and of the morning’s deliberations was conveyed to Mynheer van Duyk by Rupert.

“The first thing to be done is to offer a large reward, sir, for any news which may lead to the discovery of your daughter.  This may or may not bring us in some information.  The next thing is to have an eye kept on every boat by the quay which may have a cabin or half-deck capable of concealing a person wrapped up and bound.  Also, that a watch should be set upon any fishing boat anchored in the river, or moored against the banks, for miles round.  It is very possible that she was carried on board, and that there she may be kept, close to us, for days, or even weeks, until the hotness of the search is over, and they can pass up or down the river without being stopped and overhauled.”