In the private apartment of the burgher, however, an interview took place which was characterized by an air of deep concern.  The parties were only the free-trader and the Alderman.  But it was apparent, in the look of each, that they met like men who had interesting and serious matters to discuss.  Still, one accustomed to the expressions of the human countenance might have seen, that while the former was about to introduce topics in which his feelings were powerfully enlisted, the other looked only to the grosser interests of his commerce.

“My minutes are counted;” said the mariner, stepping into the centre of the room, and facing his companion.  “That which is to be said, must be said briefly.  The inlet can only be passed on the rising water, and it will ill consult your opinions of prudence, were I to tarry, till the hue and cry, that will follow the intelligence of that which has lately happened in the offing, shall be heard in the Province.”

“Spoken with a rover’s discretion!  This reserve will perpetuate friendship, which is nought weakened by your activity in our late uncomfortable voyage on the yards and masts of Queen Anne’s late cruiser.  Well!  I wish no ill-luck to any loyal gentleman in Her Majesty’s service; but it is a thousand pities that thou wert not ready, now the coast is clear, with a good heavy inward cargo!  The last was altogether an affair of secret drawers, and rich laces; valuable in itself, and profitable in the exchange:  but the colony is sadly in want of certain articles that can only be landed at leisure.”

“I come on other matters.  There have been transactions between us, Alderman Van Beverout, that you little understand.”

“You speak of a small mistake in the last invoice?—­’Tis all explained, Master Skimmer, on a second examination; and thy accuracy is as well established as that of the bank of England.”

“Established or not, let him who doubts cease to deal.—­I have no other motto than ‘confidence,’ nor any other rule but ‘justice.’”

“You overrun my meaning, friend of mine.  I intimate no suspicions; but accuracy is the soul of commerce, as profit is its object.  Clear accounts, with reasonable balances, are the surest cements of business intimacies.  A little frankness operates, in a secret trade, like equity in the courts; which reestablishes the justice that the law has destroyed.—­What is thy purpose?”

“It is now many years, Alderman Van Beverout, since this secret trade was commenced between you and my predecessor,—­he, whom you have thought my father, but who only claimed that revered appellation by protecting the helplessness and infancy of the orphan child of a friend.”

“The latter circumstance is new to me;” returned the burgher, slowly bowing his head.  “It may explain certain levities which have not been without their embarrassment.  ’Tis five-and-twenty years, come August, Master Skimmer, and twelve of them have been under thy auspices.  I will not say that the adventures might not have been better managed; as it is, they are tolerable.  I am getting old, and think of closing the risks and hazards of life—­two or three, or, at the most, four or five, lucky voyages, must, I think, bring a final settlement between us.”