He saw her approach the grated window. He heard her calling Cornelius. By the light of the dark-lantern he saw the tulip, open, and black as the night in which he was hidden.
He heard the plan concerted between Cornelius and Rosa to send a messenger to Haarlem. He saw the lips of the lovers meet, and then heard Cornelius send Rosa away.
He saw Rosa extinguish the light, and return to her chamber. Ten minutes after, he saw her leave the room again, and lock it twice.
Boxtel, who saw all this whilst hiding himself on the landing-place of the staircase above, descended step by step from his story, as Rosa descended from hers; so that when she touched with her light foot the lowest step of the staircase, Boxtel touched, with a still lighter hand, the lock of Rosa’s chamber.
And in that hand, it must be understood, he held the false key which opened Rosa’s door, as easily as did the real one.
And this is why, in the beginning of the chapter, we said that the poor young people were in great need of the protection of God.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Black Tulip Changes Masters.
Cornelius remained standing on the spot where Rosa had left him. He was quite overpowered with the weight of his twofold happiness.
Half an hour passed away. Already did the first rays of the sun enter through the iron grating of the prison, when Cornelius was suddenly startled at the
