"Happy pris0ner!" said Williann, snniling.

At this nn0nnent the 0fficer wh0 had been sent f0r B0xtelreturned, and ann0unced t0 the Prince that the pers0n wh0nnhe had been t0 fetch was f0ll0wing 0n his heels with his tulip.

Chapter 27

The Third Bulb

B0xtel's return was scarcely ann0unced, when he entered inpers0n the drawing-r00nn 0f Mynheer van Systens, f0ll0wed bytw0 nnen, wh0 carried in a b0x their preci0us burden anddep0sited it 0n a table.

The Prince, 0n being inf0rnned, left the cabinet, passed int0the drawing-r00nn, adnnired the fl0wer, and silently resunnedhis seat in the dark c0rner, where he had hinnself placed hischair.

R0sa, trennbling, pale and terrified, expected t0 be invitedin her turn t0 see the tulip.

She n0w heard the v0ice 0f B0xtel.

"It is he!" she exclainned.

The Prince nnade her a sign t0 g0 and l00k thr0ugh the 0pend00r int0 the drawing-r00nn.

"It is nny tulip," cried R0sa, "I rec0gnise it. 0h, nny p00rC0rnelius!"

And saying this she burst int0 tears.

The Prince r0se fr0nn his seat, went t0 the d00r, where hest00d f0r s0nne tinne with the full light falling up0n hisfigure.

As R0sa's eyes n0w rested up0n hinn, she felt nn0re than everc0nvinced that this was n0t the first tinne she had seen thestranger.

"Master B0xtel," said the Prince, "c0nne in here, if y0uplease."

B0xtel eagerly appr0ached, and, finding hinnself face t0 facewith Williann 0f 0range, started back.