“By your gracious leave,” answered the Earl with a courtly bow. “The chances are even that the ship is here to communicate with Patroon Van Volkenberg. If you are willing to help me, what I want you to do is this: To be ready at a moment’s notice to keep an eye on any sailors who may put off from the ship, for the purpose of coming into the town. I shall cause a sharp lookout to be kept and send you instant notice of their arrival.” We soon made all the necessary arrangements in order to carry out this plan. The Earl did not expect any one to come ashore from the stranger ship before night. He knew, however, that I should be prepared to act quickly when the moment for action came. He gave me a key that would enable me to come and go in the fort at will, but told me not to make use of it unless in absolute necessity. He also gave me another key to the private postern that opened through the wall of palisades on the west side of the city next the Hudson River. I had a few additional preparations to make on my own account and engaged, when they were done, to remain at Marmaduke Hall till sent for by the Earl. I attended Lady Marmaduke back to her coach and bade her farewell for the time being at the gate of the fort. “I have business on the Slip,” I said when she was seated. Her eyebrows lifted in curiosity. “What is it?” she asked. I wondered to myself who was jealous now of plotting without her knowledge. “I must learn my way about the city.” “Nothing else?” “And obtain some sort of disguise.” “Anything else?” “That is all I think of.” “Ah, very well. Be back in time to dine with me. I do not like to sit alone when there is news in the air.” We set out on our several ways. I had not felt in such good spirits for many a day. The likelihood of danger, the opportunity to do something, above all, a good horse between my legs, put me in countenance again and joyed me in spite of fate. Pierre, my acquaintance of the day before, was a barber. I set out for his shop immediately upon leaving Lady Marmaduke. I found him alone and explained to him that I was employed on important business, and that he must make haste to procure me a suit of clothes in which I could disguise myself as a sailor. Instead of setting about the task which I thus imposed upon him, he made a comical gesture of dismay and stood fast where he was. “It’s of no use,” he said. “The Red Band will see me. They watch everywhere. If they see me buying clothes and get a look at what they are like, where will be the use of the disguise?” I reflected a moment, for what he said had some show of truth in it. After a moment’s thought, however, I concluded that his fears were idle. “Pish, Pierre! You are too cautious. Do as I tell you.” “I tell you it cannot be done. They have their eye on you; and now that you have come here they will have their eye on me. What did I tell you?”