Черный тюльпан
A Member of the Horticultural Society
”
“Andwhereisit?”
“Withitsowner.”
“Whoishe?”
“Anhonesttulip-growerofDort.”
“Hisname?”
“Boxtel.”
“Hisquarters?”
“AttheWhiteSwan;Ishallsendforhim,andifinthemeanwhileyourHighnesswilldomethehonourofsteppingintomydrawing-room,hewillbesure—knowingthatyourHighnessishere—tolosenotimeinbringinghistulip.”
“Verywell,sendforhim.”
“Yes,yourHighness,but——”
“Whatisit?”
“Oh,nothingofanyconsequence,Monseigneur.”
“Everythingisofconsequence,MynheervanSystens.”
“Well,then,Monseigneur,ifitmustbesaid,alittledifficultyhaspresenteditself.”
“Whatdifficulty?”
“Thistuliphasalreadybeenclaimedbyusurpers.It’struethatitisworthahundredthousandguilders.”
“Indeed!”
“Yes,Monseigneur,byusurpers,byforgers.”
“Thisisacrime,MynheervanSystens.”
“Soitis,yourHighness.”
“Andhaveyouanyproofsoftheirguilt?”
“No,Monseigneur,theguiltywoman——”
“Theguiltywoman,Sir?”
“Ioughttosay,thewomanwhoclaimsthetulip,Monseigneur,ishereintheroomcloseby.”
“Andwhatdoyouthinkofher?”
“Ithink,Monseigneur,thatthebaitofahundredthousandguildersmayhavetemptedher.”
“Andsosheclaimsthetulip?”
“YesMonseigneur.”
“Andwhatproofdoessheoffer?”
“IwasjustgoingtoquestionherwhenyourHighnesscamein.”
“Questionher,MynheervanSystens,questionher.Iamthefirstmagistrateofthecountry;Iwillhearthecaseandadministerjustice.
