9. WHISPERS OF THE SUNKEN SHIP

CHAPTER 1

In the small house on the Heerengracht in the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, there is quite a commotion and a delight.

In the middle of the front room, the large man turns around, embarrassed, and then looks at his beautiful dark-haired wife. Her eyes sparkle, and she looks at him admiringly.

“You look magnificent, my husband,” says Maria Verbeeck. “You look like a true nobleman. Now you are ready for his Excellency the Governor.”

“Yes,” says Wilhelm Rieckert. “You indeed look like a nobleman, Simon Verbeeck.”

It is the staring and the compliments that make the large, massive seafarer, Simon Verbeeck, feel so embarrassed, because he sees that even his old friend John Tobey is sitting and peeking at him admiringly. John has not said anything yet. He cannot say anything, because his tongue has been cut out by pirates.

Simon Verbeeck has reason to feel pleased. He looks neat in his black breeches, his black stockings, his black shoes with the bright, gleaming buckles, and with the black feathered hat on his dark head. Maria herself has trimmed his jet-black beard so that it is now neat and glistening, and his moustache Wilhelm Rieckert has neatly curled with special pomade.

But through the admiration, Simon sees the question in all their eyes. It is a question that is not uttered by anyone, but he can sense it. They want to ask him what he is going to do at the governor of the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope. What would be the reason that his Excellency has summoned him so unexpectedly.

“Now for my walking stick,” says Simon.

John Tobey follows the movement of his lips, jumps up, and takes the neat walking stick from the coat rack. Then Simon walks over to Maria, taps her on the cheek, and kisses her lightly.

“Keep your fingers crossed for me,” says the big seafarer. “Maybe his Excellency wants to make me head of this settlement.” They all laugh, and then Simon Verbeeck walks out, accompanied by Wilhelm Rieckert, his bosom friend and his right-hand man at sea.

The two walk down the Heerengracht in the direction of the castle, where the governor has summoned Simon.

And it is then that Wilhelm Rieckert, who shares all secrets with Simon, can no longer suppress his curiosity. “What could it be, Simon?” asks Wilhelm. “Do you have any indication why his Excellency has summoned you?”

“I don’t have the faintest idea,” answers Simon.

“Do you think it’s something important?” asks Wilhelm.

Simon stops on the flat street that is laid out with round pebbles and looks at his friend. “My dear Wilhelm,” says Simon, “his Excellency does not have a man summoned unless it is of importance. This is no small matter, of that I am certain.”

Then he looks away thoughtfully for a moment at the bright, smooth surface of the water in Table Bay. He looks at the masts and the cross-trees of a large and elegant vessel that is at anchor there. It is his own Red Ruby. He is already longing for his ship. It has been a day or two since he was on board. His men are busy cleaning the Red Ruby neatly and picking here and there where there may be a crack or a tear in the large hull.

Then the two continue, and after a while Simon Verbeeck appears before the quarters of his Excellency the Governor.

He is immediately admitted, and when he enters the spacious, neat and impressive room, the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope immediately stands up behind his huge writing desk.

He comes around and extends his hand to Simon Verbeeck.

“I am glad to see you, Verbeeck. There are matters that I want to discuss with you.”

Simon g