“What is this intrusion, Mynheer Huysman?  Why are you in my grounds?  And who fired those two pistol shots I heard?”

“Patience, Hendrik!  Patience!” replied Mynheer Jacobus, in a smooth suave manner that surprised Robert.  “My young friend, Master Lennox, here, saw a man running across your grounds, after having slipped surreptitiously out of your house.  Suspecting that he had taken und carried from you that which he ought not to haf, Master Lennox called to him to stop.  The reply wass a pistol bullet und Master Lennox, being young und like the young prone to swift anger, fired back.  But the man hass escaped with hiss spoil, whatefer it iss, und you only, Hendrik, know what it iss.”

Hendrik Martinus looked at Jacobus Huysman and Jacobus Huysman looked squarely back at him.  The angry fire died out of the eyes of Martinus, and instead came a swift look of comprehension which passed in an instant.  When he spoke again his tone was changed remarkably: 

“Doubtless it was a robber,” he said, “and I thank you, Mynheer Jacobus, and Master Lennox, and your boy Peter, for your attempt to catch him.  But I fear that he has escaped.”

“I will pursue him und capture him,” exclaimed Mynheer Andrius Tefft, who stood by, listening to their words and puffing and blowing.

“I fear it iss too late, Andrius,” said Mynheer Jacobus Huysman, shaking his head.  “If anyone could do it, it would be you, but doubtless Mynheer Hendrik hass not lost anything that he cannot replace, und it would be better for you, Andrius, to watch well here und guard against future attempts.”

“That would be wise, no doubt,” said Martinus, and Robert thought he detected an uneasy note in his voice.

“Then I will go,” said Andrius Tefft, and he walked on, swinging his lantern high and wide, until its beams fell on every house and tree and shrub.

“I will return to my house,” said Mynheer Martinus.  “My wife and daughters were alarmed by the shots, and I will tell them what has happened.”

“It iss the wise thing to do,” said Mynheer Huysman, gravely, “und I would caution you, Hendrik, to be on your guard against robbers who slip so silently into your house und then slip out again in the same silence.  The times are troubled und the wicked take advantage of them to their own profit.”

“It is true, Mynheer Jacobus,” said Martinus somewhat hastily, and he walked back to his own house without looking Huysman in the eyes again.

Mynheer Huysman, Robert and Peter returned slowly.

“I think Hendrik understands me,” said Mynheer Huysman; “I am sorry that we did not catch the go-between, but Hendrik hass had a warning, und he will be afraid.  Our night’s work iss not all in vain.  Peter, you haf done well, but I knew you would.  Now, we will haf some refreshment und await the return of Tayoga.”

“I believe,” said Robert, “that in Albany, when one is in doubt what to do one always eats.  Is it not so?”