“Right well do I know that, too, Jacobus.  I had a fair reading in the classics, when I was a schoolboy, and I should call the lad, Tayoga, more Greek in spirit than Roman.  I have found in him the spiritual quality, the love of beauty and the kindliness of soul which the books say the Greeks had and which the Romans lacked.”

“It iss fairly put, Benjamin, und I bethink me you are right.  But there iss one thing which you do not know, but which you ought to know, because it iss of much importance.”

“What is it?” asked Hardy, impressed by the manner of Jacobus.

“It iss the fact that Adrian Van Zoon arrived in Albany this morning.”

The merchant started slightly in surprise, and then his face became a mask.

“Adrian Van Zoon is a merchant like myself,” he said.  “He has a right to come to Albany.  Perhaps he feels the necessity, too, as no doubt he is interested in large contracts for the army.”

“It iss true, Benjamin, but you und I would rather he had not come.  He arrived but this morning on his own sloop, the Dirkhoeven, und I feel that wherever Adrian Van Zoon iss the air becomes noxious, full of poisonous vapors und dangerous to those about him.”

“You’re right, Jacobus.  I see that your faculties are as keen as ever.  You can see through a mill stone, and you can put together much larger figures than two and two.”

Mynheer Jacobus smiled complacently.

“I haf not yet reached my zenith,” he said, “und I am very glad I am not yet an old man, because I am so full of curiosity.”

“I don’t take your meaning, Jacobus.”

“I would not like to die before this great und long war iss ended because I wish to see how it does end.  Und I want to see the nature of the mighty changes which I feel are coming in the world.”

“What changes, for instance, Jacobus?”

“The action of the New World upon the Old, und the action of the old monarchies upon one another.  All things change, Benjamin.  You und I know that.  The veil of majesty that wraps around kings und thrones iss not visible to us here in der American forest, und maybe for dot reason we see the changes coming in Europe better than those who are closer by.  France is the oldest of all the old und great monarchies und for dot reason the French monarchy iss most overripe.  Steeped in luxury und corruption, the day of its decay hass set in.”

“But the French people are valiant and great, Jacobus.  Think not that we have in them a weak antagonist.”

“I said nothing of the French nation, Benjamin, mein friend.  I spoke of the French throne.  The French leaders in Canada are brave und enterprising.  They will inflict on us many defeats, but the French throne will not give to them the support to which they as Frenchmen are entitled.”

“You probably see the truth, Jacobus, and it’s to our advantage.  Perhaps ’tis better that the French throne should decay.  But we’ll return to affairs closer by.  You’ve had Van Zoon watched?”