“The headquarters?”
“Yes. The underlings who risk their lives are always of subordinate importance. It is, above all, necessary to find out the persons of higher rank who prudently contrive to keep themselves in the background.”
“I wish you success.”
“Before going to Antwerp, whither M. Penurot is to accompany me to-morrow, I should like to make a report to the Imperial Chancellor. May I ask you to let me have a boat to-morrow morning to go to Flushing?”
“Certainly. You can have any boat you like.”
“Then I should like the steam pinnace.”
“Perhaps you know whether the Chancellor intends to stay long at Flushing?”
“I cannot say. In many ways Antwerp would certainly be a better place; but he has gone to Flushing to make a demonstration.”
“To make a demonstration?” repeated the Commander in a tone of astonishment.
“The English, of course, know that he is there, and his presence at Flushing is bound to strengthen their belief that our main base of operations will be the mouth of the Schelde.”