“Not a stiver.  Here, count me back the faces of the Braganza; throw enough of thin ducats into the scales to make up the sum, and let thy slaves push inland with the articles, before the morning light comes to tell the story.  Here has been one among us, who may do mischief, if he will; though I know not how far he is master of the main secret.”

Alderman Van Beverout stared a little wildly about him, adjusted his wig, like one fully conscious of the value of appearances in this world, and then cautiously drew the curtains before the windows.

“I know of none more than common, my niece excepted;” he said, when all these precautions had been observed. “’Tis true the Patroon of Kinderhook is in the house, but as the man sleeps, he is a witness in our favor.  We have the testimony of his presence, while his tongue is silent.”

“Well, be it so;” rejoined the free-trader, reading, in the imploring eyes of Alida, a petition that he would say no more.  “I knew by instinct there was one unusual, and it was not for me to discover that he sleeps.  There are dealers on the coast, who, for the sake of insurance, would charge his presence in their bills.”

“Say no more, worthy Master Seadrift, and take the gold.  To confess the truth, the goods are in the periagua and fairly out of the river.  I knew we should come to conclusions in the matter, and time is precious, as there is a cruiser of the Queen so nigh.  The rogues will pass the pennant, like innocent market-people, and I’ll risk a Flemish gelding against a Virginia nag, that they inquire if the captain has no need of vegetables for his soup!  Ah! ha-ha-ha!  That Ludlow is a simpleton, niece of mine, and he is not yet fit to deal with men of mature years.  You’ll think better of his qualities, one day, and bid him be gone like an unwelcome dun.”

“I hope these proceedings may be legally sanctioned, uncle?”

“Sanctioned!  Luck sanctions all.  It is in trade as in war:  success gives character and booty, in both.  Your rich dealer is sure to be your honest dealer.  Plantations and Orders in Council!  What are our rulers doing at home, that they need be so vociferous about a little contraband?  The rogues will declaim, by the hour, concerning bribery and corruption, while more than half of them get their seats as clandestinely—­ay, and as illegally, as you get these rare Mechlin laces.  Should the Queen take offence at our dealings, Master Seadrift, bring me another season, or two, as profitable as the last, and I’ll be your passenger to London, go on ’change, buy a seat in Parliament, and answer to the royal displeasure from my place, as they call it.  By the responsibility of the States General! but I should expect, in such a case, to return Sir Myndert, and then the Manhattanese might hear of a Lady Van Beverout, in which case, pretty Alida, thy assets would be sadly diminished!—­so go to thy bed, child, and dream of fine laces, and rich velvets, and duty to old uncles, and discretion, and all manner of agreeable things—­kiss me, jade, and to thy pillow.”