“Then you won’t refuse to tell me how many men you have?” “I would if I could. A good many had gone out to hunt and trade. All through, there was a pretty lively sprinkling of them, I calculate.” “Do you think they have as many as we have?” “How many do you reckon?” Van Curter instantly gave him this information, and immediately cursed himself for doing it, fearing that the hawker would take advantage of the fact against him. He was the more angry from the fact that Boston refused to be at all explicit in regard to the number at Windsor. “He hadn’t counted,” he said. “They were scattered round a good deal; might be more or might be less. Couldn’t bring himself to say, to a certainty, whether they had as many as Van Curter or not, but most probable a likely number.” “How did you come here?” “I reckon that is easy to answer. Part of the way I walked, and part of the way I rode. Couldn’t I sell you something, squire?” “Wait until I have finished my questions. Did you see Captain Holmes at Windsor?” “Yes, I told you before.” “Was William Barlow in Windsor?” “The lieutenant?” “Yes.” “Y-a-a-s. He was there.” “Did he know you were coming here?” “Guess so.” “Do you _know_?” “Y-a-a-s, I think he did. I didn’t make no secret of it. I trade here a great deal.” “The last time you were here, you brought a message to my daughter from him. Don’t deny it, for I know you did. Have you one now?” “No. The lieutenant found out that you were mad about it, and he thought he wouldn’t trouble the gal just now.” “You are sure you have not a letter about you somewhere?” “You may s’arch me, if you think I have. ’Twon’t be the first time it’s been done.” “You are willing?” “I can’t say I am just _willing_. I allus prefer to have the handling of my goods _myself_. Before you call in your men, I’ll go over the box and show you that there ain’t any message in that.” Van Curter looked on zealously as the hawker tumbled over his goods upon the floor, and turned over its contents. He then examined the pack itself, and found nothing. Boston put the things back, saying, that “Dutchmen had sometimes light fingers as well as heavy bodies.” Van Curter now called in two men, who searched the hawker with great care. They found nothing. “I told you so before you begun,” said he. “You wouldn’t believe _me_. Perhaps you will next time, and save yourself trouble.” The fellows went out, and Van Curter begun again, with the air of a man without hope: “Did you come here alone?” “Yes, I did. What will you ask next? I’d like to have you get done as soon as you can, for I want to be at work. I’m losing money on you.” A light came into the face of the other. “You like money, then?” “I ain’t much ahead of any Dutchman of my acquaintance, then. They like money. Of course I like money. Why not?” “Then I have not been holding out the right inducement for you to speak.” “You are right in your head, old lad. I don’t speak without a proper inducement.”