CHAPTER XIX
THE SECRET OUT
DR. DE WITT flew to Vrouw Yoorliaas’s assistance, pushing the stranger unceremoniously aside in his haste. For a moment no one spoke while he busied himself over the sick woman. Then he turned to the intruder, sternly inquiring:
“Who art thou, and why art thou here?” The man pulled off his cap ornamented with the Beggar’s crescent, and drew himself up to face the physician.
“I am Dr. Cornellisen,” he said, “and I have come to claim my children!”
Struck dumb with amazement and incredulity, not a soul moved. Then De Witt advanced a step and stuttered:
“But—b-b-but—Dr. Cornellisen is dead!”
“No, he is not dead!” answered the stran-
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