The sound of voices instead came to him, and as he listened he was able to note that it was two men talking in low tones.

Undoubtedly they were robbers, who were common in all great towns in those days, and this must be a chamber in which Master Hardy kept many valuables.

Doubtless they were assured that everybody was deep in slumber, or they would be more cautious.
Driven by an intense curiosity, Robert edged his head a little farther forward, and was able to look into the room, where, to his intense amazement, he saw no robbers at all, but Willet and Master Hardy seated at a small table opposite each other, with a candle, account books and papers between.

Hardy had been reading a paper, and stopping at intervals to talk about it with the hunter.
"As you see, David," he said, "the list of the ships is three larger than it was five years ago.

One was lost to the Barbary corsairs, another was wrecked on the coast of the Brazils, but we have five new ones." "You have done well, Benjamin, but I knew you would," said the hunter.
"With the help of Jonathan.