I said that Captain Kidd had arrived in the night, though we did not know the fact when we set out. The wind was southerly that morning, and we had not gone far, when it brought us the sound of a gun. “Ha,” said the patroon. “Doubtless that is to welcome the Adventure.” And sure enough it was. Kidd’s ship had been in the bay all night and, as we soon found, was coming up to the town. It had been some hour anchored when the patroon and I rode up to the Slip to look at it. “A tidy ship,” said the patroon after examining it as thoroughly as he could from the shore. “One that could sail far with a safe crew. New York must furnish him good recruits, St. Vincent.” He laughed in a low, satisfied way, as if at some joke of his own. “Ay, we must serve him with a good crew.” I had thought that he had ridden to the city on business, but such seemed not to be the case. We set out on our return immediately. To be sure, we did not go directly home, but rode about in a wandering way from street to street, like strangers viewing the town for the first time. All the while my master glanced from side to side, eyeing every person who passed as if he were in search of someone. Suddenly I heard an exclamation. Van Volkenberg drew in his horse just as a stranger stepped out from the stream of passengers at the side of the street. This person was dressed in ordinary clothes, but I knew from his walk that he was a seaman. “Well, William,” said the patroon, as soon as they had greeted each other, which they did warmly, as if they were old friends long parted. “How does New York look to you now?” “Much as usual. But I see that the privy-council is changed a bit.” “Ay, changed for the worst.” They both laughed good humoredly. “What else do you notice?” “Your French County seems to be on the warpath again.” “Yes, there are rumors to that effect; but I put no faith in them. Still, everyone believes them here. It would be a good thing for the governor to garrison Fort Orange, if only to allay public excitement. It would be easier to stop him at Albany than at any other place.” At that moment one of Van Volkenberg’s clerks came up and put a paper into his master’s hand. “I have been looking everywhere for you.” “Yes,” answered the patroon. “This needs my attention.” Then, turning to the stranger, he continued: “I must back to the warehouse, William. Remember our appointment; midnight on the river.” We rode off directly to the patroon’s warehouse on the Slip. Before we had gone far the patroon put the letter into my hand. It was but a line and signed by one of the confidential clerks. It read: “Lady Marmaduke is about to appeal to the Assembly to stop the troops.” “It is Greek to me,” I answered. “What does it mean?” “You suggested it yourself. Bellamont has decided to fortify Albany, and is going to send off three of the city companies to-morrow or next day.” “What has Lady Marmaduke to do with it? Why does she want the troops stopped?”