"
"That place! Ah, I remember now. Just as we were passing it I
pulled my tippet from my pocket and probably flipped out the
purse at the same time. It would have been gone but for you,
Hans. Here"--pouring out the contents--"you must give us the
pleasure of dividing the money with you."
"No, mynheer," answered Hans. He spoke quietly, without
pretence or any grace of manner, but Peter, somehow, felt
rebuked, and put the silver back without a word.
I like that boy, rich or poor, he thought to himself, then added
aloud, "May I ask about this trouble of yours, Hans?"
"Ah, mynheer, it is a sad case, but I have waited here too long.
I am going to Leyden to see the great Dr. Boekman."
"Dr. Boekman!" exclaimed Peter in astonishment.
"Yes, mynheer, and I have not a moment to lose. Good day!"
"Stay, I am going that way. Come, my lads! Shall we return to
Haarlem!"
"Yes," cried the boys, eagerly--and off they started.
"Now," said Peter, drawing near Hans, both skimming the ice so
easily and lightly as they skated on together that they seemed
scarcely conscious of moving. "We are going to stop at Leyden,
and if you are going there only with a message to Dr.
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