The face of Martinus, a man of about fifty, turned a deep red, but the excessive color passed in a few moments, and he spoke carelessly.  In truth, his whole manner was lighter and more agile than that of the average man of Dutch blood.

“I am not so sure, Mynheer Jacobus, that you did not take notice yourself,” he said.  “Mynheer Jacobus is grave and dignified, but many a grave and dignified man has a wary eye for the ladies.”

Mynheer Jacobus Huysman frowned.

“And as for shawls and brooches and necklaces,” continued Martinus, “it is well known that war brings legitimate profits to many men.  It makes trade in certain commodities brisk.  Now I’d willingly wager that your friend, Master Benjamin Hardy, whom you have just seen on his way to New York, will be much the richer by this war.”

“Master Hardy has ships upon the seas, and important contracts for the troops.”

“I have no ships upon the seas, but I may have contracts, too.”

“It may well be so, Hendrik,” said Mynheer Jacobus, and without another word he passed on.  When he had gone a hundred yards he shook himself violently, and when he had gone another hundred yards he gave himself a second shake of equal vigor.  An hour later he was in the back room talking with the lad, Peter.

“Peter,” he said, “you haf learned to take naps in the day und to keep awake all through the night?”

“Yes, Mynheer,” replied Peter, proudly.

“Then, Peter, you vass an owl, a watcher in the dark.”

“Yes, Mynheer.”

“Und I gif you praise for watching well, Peter, und also gold, which iss much more solid than praise.  Now I gif you by und by more praise und more gold which iss still more solid than praise.  The lad, Robert Lennox, will be here early tonight to take supper with me, und I will see that he does not go out again before the morrow.  Now, do you, Peter, watch the house of Hendrik Martinus all night und tell me if anyone comes out or goes in, und who und what he may be, as nearly as you can.”

“Yes, Mynheer,” said Peter, and a sudden light flickered in the pale blue eyes.

No further instructions were needed.  He left the house in silence, and Mynheer Jacobus Huysman trusted him absolutely.

CHAPTER VI

THE DARK STRANGER

Robert arrived at the house of Jacobus Huysman about dark and Tayoga came with him.  Willet was detained at the camp on the flats, where he had business with Colonel Johnson, who consulted him often.  The two lads were in high good spirits, and Mynheer Jacobus, whatever he may have been under the surface, appeared to be so, too.  Robert believed that the army would march very soon now.  The New York and New England men alike were full of fire, eager to avenge Braddock’s defeat and equally eager to drive back and punish the terrible clouds of savages which, under the leadership of the French, were ravaging the border, spreading devastation and terror on all sides.