The visitor waved his hand slightly, as,
if in acknowledgment of the courtesy, but
remained standing.

'I have the honour to see Mynher
Vanderhausen, of Rotterdam?' said Gerard
Douw.

'The same,' was the laconic reply of his
visitant.

'I understand your worship desires to
speak with me,' continued Douw, 'and I
am here by appointment to wait your
commands.'

'Is that a man of trust?' said Vanderhausen,
turning towards Schalken, who
stood at a little distance behind his master.

'Certainly,' replied Gerard.

'Then let him take this box and get the
nearest jeweller or goldsmith to value its
contents, and let him return hither with a
certificate of the valuation.'

At the same time he placed a small case,
about nine inches square, in the hands of