At last, when I saw that they would bear it no longer, for they were
becoming very wrathful, and saying words that sounded like oaths, I
called for supper and we went in and ate it. Here again I noticed the
resemblance between the young man and Ralph, for he had the same tricks
of eating and drinking, and I saw that when he had done his meat he
turned himself a little sideways from the table, crossing his legs in a
peculiar fashion just as it always had been Ralph's habit to do.

"The two had one grandfather, or one grandmother," I said to myself, and
grew afraid at the thought.



CHAPTER VII

THE SIN OF VROUW BOTMAR

When the meat was cleared away I bade Suzanne go to bed, which she did
most unwillingly, for knowing the errand of these men she wished to hear
our talk. As soon as she was gone I took a seat so that the light of
the candles left my face in shadow and fell full on those of the three
men--a wise thing to do if one is wicked enough to intend to tell lies
about any matter--and said:

"Now, here I am at your service; be pleased to set out the business that
you have in hand."

Then they began, the lawyer, speaking through the interpreter, asking,
"Are you the Vrouw Botmar?"