“Ah! sir,” said the gatekeeper, “do you bring me the key?”
“Yes, my man, here it is.”
“It is most unfortunate that you did not bring me that key only one quarter of an hour sooner,” said the gatekeeper, with a sigh.
“And why that?” asked the other.
“Because I might have opened the gate to Mynheers de Witt; whereas, finding the gate locked, they were obliged to retrace their steps.”
“Gate! gate!” cried a voice which seemed to be that of a man in a hurry.
The Prince, turning round, observed Captain Van Deken.
“Is that you, Captain?” he said. “You are not yet out of the Hague? This is executing my orders very slowly.”
“Monseigneur,” replied the Captain, “this is the third gate at which I have presented myself; the other two were closed.”
“Well, this good man will open this one for you; do it, my friend.”