Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/37

Rh name belonging to any one in this part of the world, do you?" The man was speaking quietly, but as he turned toward Dirck as he spoke, Robert, who was watching him, was impressed that the man's interest in the Dutchman's reply was much keener than it appeared to be.

"I know of one Russell," said Dirck slowly. "I do not know him."

"And perhaps all the better for you," laughed the man. "Where does this particular Russell happen to live?"

"He was not at home."

"So? Gone to join Clinton's men perhaps."

"There was two Clintons. One was in New York and one was not."

For a moment the expression of the man's face changed slightly, or at least Robert fancied that it did, and then he said with a laugh, "I did not think there was but one up here on  the Hudson. Sir Henry is so far away I did not think he would count. The only one I thought was of any importance hereabouts is George Clinton the—the commander at Fort Montgomery."

"General George Clinton is there."

"But you can't tell me where my namesake Russell is?"

"He was a wayfaring man and one fool."