X My First Commission 111 XI The Escape from the Rattle-Watch 126 XII Van Volkenberg’s Window 135 XIII Van Volkenberg in Disgrace 144 XIV Plotting without the Earl 154 XV The Silver Buttons 171 XVI Fire and Sleete and Candle Light 181 XVII The Events of Next Day 196 XVIII Another Secret Burial 214 XIX I Meet the Patroon Again 233 XX The Skeleton in the Patroon’s Closet 251 XXI Meg’s Pleading 265 XXII A Fruitless Resolution 277 XXIII Van Volkenberg and the Earl 291 XXIV Captain William Kidd 305 XXV The Effect of Kidd’s Visit 315 XXVI The Great Secret 331 XXVII The Last of the Patroon 340 XXVIII Conclusion 357 PATROON VAN VOLKENBERG CHAPTER I THE FLIGHT FROM PARIS The long-boat of Captain Tew had set me ashore on the southwest end of Long Island in a cove near the village of Gravesoon, which is just across the end of the island from New York. In those days the pirates were in bad repute with the government and Captain Tew durst not land me nearer the town for fear of the king’s officers; so I had to make the rest of my way alone. I was not cast down, however, for I had always a hopeful heart, and, in addition to this fact, I was sick and tired of the bad-smelling ship and of its lawless crew of buccaneers. Yet I ought not to cry out against their captain. He and I possessed a strong bond of friendship. I had done him one good turn and he had done me another, though, at that moment, neither of us foresaw what the latter would amount to in the end.