Fortunately they do not come on board, only inspecting the vessel from the gang plank, and very soon they go away. [[144]]
Shortly after this Chester goes up to the town to meet Oliver.
This gentleman reports as follows:
“There is a house as described and located by Paciotto, a tumble-down, ramshackle old affair, in by no means a good neighborhood. It is kept by an old deaf and dumb Spanish woman who goes under the name of Señora Sebastian, but is commonly known by the sailors she takes as boarders (this house being near the docks) as ‘Mother Dumb Devil,’ referring probably to her temper.”
“That’s the place. I’ll put some of my men to lodge there at once,” says Guy.
“Not yet, not until we get the keys. Use your men in discharging your vessel as rapidly as possible. Key number one I have already ordered made from its draft. Number three I will take to-morrow to Brussels, leaving number two en route at Malines. Get your cargo out of your vessel as fast as you can.”
“How long will you be in Brussels?”
“Until the key is made, probably five days,” replies Oliver.
“So long? You know speed is vital. I shall have my ship unloaded by that time.”
“It can’t be done sooner. The locksmith says it will take him at least four days to finish the one ordered here. Consequently it must be five days before I return from Brussels with the keys. Besides,” says the painter, “I have had a carrier pigeon from Louis of Nassau to-day, which makes it necessary that I go to the capital to obtain a little information. Every town save Amsterdam is up in Holland, and—now an attack in the rear. I’ve had word they are ready to rise. It would be a shame that all the Netherlands were up in arms and Mons, my native place, still fly the flag of Alva.”