"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."