Driven by an intense curiosity, Robert edged his head a little farther forward, and was able to look into the room, where, to his intense amazement, he saw no robbers at all, but Willet and Master Hardy seated at a small table opposite each other, with a candle, account books and papers between.  Hardy had been reading a paper, and stopping at intervals to talk about it with the hunter.

“As you see, David,” he said, “the list of the ships is three larger than it was five years ago.  One was lost to the Barbary corsairs, another was wrecked on the coast of the Brazils, but we have five new ones.”

“You have done well, Benjamin, but I knew you would,” said the hunter.

“With the help of Jonathan.  Don’t forget him, David.  In name he is my head clerk, and he pretends to serve me, but at times I think he is my master.  A shrewd Massachusetts man, David, uncommonly shrewd, and loyal too.”

“And the lands, Benjamin?”

“They’re in abeyance, and are likely to be for some years, their title depending upon the course of events which are now in train.”

“And they’re uncertain, Benjamin, as uncertain as the winds.  But give me your honest opinion of the lad, Benjamin.  Have I done well with him?”

“None could have done better.  He’s an eagle, David.  I marked him well.  Spirit, imagination, force; youth and honesty looking out of his eyes.  But have you no fears, David, that you will get him killed in the wars?”

“I could not keep him from going to them if I would, Benjamin.  There my power stops.  You old sailors have superstitions or beliefs, and I, a landsman, have a conviction, too.  The invisible prophets tell me that he will not be killed.”

“I don’t laugh at such things, David.  The greatness and loneliness of the sea does breed superstition in mariners.  I know there is no such thing as the supernatural, and yet I am swayed at times by the unknown.”

“At least I will watch over him as best I can, and he has uncommon skill in taking care of himself.”

Robert’s will triumphed over a curiosity that was intense and burning, and he turned away.  He knew they were speaking of him, and he seemed to be connected with great affairs.  It was enough to stir the most apathetic youth, and he was just the opposite.  It required the utmost exertion of a very strong mind to pull himself from the door and then to drag his unwilling feet along the hall.  Matter was in complete rebellion and mind was compelled to win its triumph, unaided, but win it did and kept the victory.

He reached his own room and softly closed the door behind him.  Tayoga was still sleeping soundly.  Robert went again to the window.  His eyes were turned toward the street, but he did not see anything there, because he was looking inward.  The talk of Willet and Hardy came back to him.  He could say it over, every word, and none could deny that it was charged with significance.  But he knew intuitively that neither of them would answer a single one of his questions, and he must wait for time and circumstance to disclose the truth.  Nor could he bear to tell them that he had been listening at the door, despite the fact that it had been brought about by accident, and that he had come away, when he might have heard more.