"And the horses?"
"In the shed behind the hut."
"Look after them well, Jan: we may want to use them again to-morrow."
"They shall be well looked after, my lord."
"And you have placed the sentry outside the hut?"
"Two men in the front and two in the rear, as you have commanded, my lord."
Stoutenburg drew a deep breath of satisfaction: but anxiety seemed to have exhausted him, for now that his questions had been clearly answered, he sank into a chair.
"All well, Nicolaes," he said more calmly as he placed a re-assuring hand upon his friend's shoulder.
But Nicolaes groaned aloud.
"Would to God," he said, "that all were well!"