Alexandre Dumas 
The Black Tulip (The French Classical Romances) 

In the Netherlands, at the end of the seventeenth century, Cornelius Van Beagle is about to create a marvelous flower, a black tulip. Isaac Boxtel, the neighbor tries in every way to steal the precious bulbs. To achieve its purpose enters Cornelius‘ greenhouse and denounces his rival of having hidden the letters entrusted to him by Corneille de Witt, Governor of the Province. Van Beagle with a stratagem succeed to bring with them the precious bulbs in prison wrapping them in a sheet containing a message from the Governor…