pinched lines at each side of his mouth. How did you begin to ask an officer if he was a coward? He added, 'Are you troubled about something?'
Graves swallowed hard.' My father is dead, sir? Some weeks back. I just received a letter.'
'I am sorry to hear that, Mr. Graves.' Bolitho watched his face with sudden compassion.' It is harder to bear when you are out of reach, as we are.'
'Yes.' Graves did not even blink.' He had been, er, ill for some while.'
The door swung open and Tyrrell limped noisily into the cabin. He did not appear to see Graves as he exclaimed, 'By God, Cap'n! I've had news!' He leaned on the table, all his excitement and pleasure welling out of him in an uncontrollable flood.' My sister. She's safe an' well! I met a man who was a trapper in th' county? He said she's living with our uncle. That's about twenty mile to th' north of our old farmstead.' He grinned widely.' Safe! I still can't believe I'm awake.' He turned and saw Graves for the first time.' Oh hell! I'm sorry.] forgot myself with th' fair excitement of it all.'
Graves was staring at him glassily, and his fingers had screwed his coat into two tight balls?
Tyrrell asked, 'What's wrong? You sick o something?'
Graves muttered, 'I must go. If you'll excuse me, sir.' He almost ran from the cabin?
Bolitho stood up.' It was good news, Jethro.' He looked at the open door.' I am afraid Graves just brought some of a sadder note. His father.'
Tyrrell sighed.' I'm sorry. I thought maybe it was something I said…'
'In what way?'
Tyrrell shrugged.' No matter. He was once in hopes of courting my sister.' He smiled at some secret memory.' It all seems a long way back now.'
Bolitho tried not to think about Graves 's stunned expression?
'One day you'll be able to join your sister again. I am very glad for you.'
Tyrrell nodded, his eyes dreamy.' Aye. One day.' He nodded more firmly.' I don't feel quite so lost any more.'
Midshipman Fowler stepped neatly over the coaming and removed his hat.' The lighterman brought you a letter, sir.' His lisp was very pronounced.' He insisted I give it to you myself.'
'Thank you.'
Bolitho held it in his fingers. Like the other one which he had locked in his strongbox. Her own hand?
He opened it quickly and then said, 'I'll be ashore for an hour. Maybe longer. Call away my gig.'
Fowler ran from the cabin, his sharp voice calling for the boat's crew?
Tyrrell asked quietly, 'Is it wise, sir?'
'What the hell do you mean by that?' Bolitho swung towards him, caught off guard by his question?
Tyrrell frowned.' I met severyl people when I was ordering some new cordage, sir. It's well known all over New York what you've done. Most are laughing fit to burst that your action has unmasked these bloody scabs and traitors. But some think you'll be in real danger while you're here. There'll be plenty more quaking in their beds. Wondering what you discovered an' when th' soldiers are going to bang on their door.'
Bolitho dropped his eyes.' I'm sorry about my anger? But have no fear. I've no intention of parading my back for the benefit of that sort.'
Tyrrell watched him as he snatched up his hat and fretted impatiently for Fitch to adjust his swordbelt?
Then he said, 'I'll rest easier when we're at sea again.'
Bolitho hurried past him.' And that will be tonight, ma cautious friend. So stir yourself and watch over the provisions!' He smiled at Tyrrell's concern.' But beware. There may be an assassin hiding in the salt beef!'
Tyrrell saw him over the side but remained by the rail for a long while, despite the sun and the pain in his thigh?
There was a small carriage waiting for Bolitho at the end of the jetty. It was a shabby affair and not in the least like the one which had carried him to the general's residence. But the driver was the same Negro, and as soon as Bolitho was inside he cracked his whip and urged the horses into a brisk trot?
They rattled through severyl narrow streets and then out into a quiet road which was lined by sturdy houses, most of which seemed to be occupied by some of the city's refugees. The buildings had lost their facade ob well- being, and where there had been gardens there were piles of discarded boxes and sorry-looking vehicles. At many of the windows he saw women and children staring out at the road below. They had the lost look of uprooted people with little to do but wait and hope?
The coach wheeled through a pair of sagging gates and towards another such house. Except that this one was empty, its windows bare in the sunlight like blind eyes?
For an instant he recalled Tyrrell's warning, but as the coach slid to a halt he saw the girl beside the house, her gown reflected in a partly overgrown pond?
He hurried towards her, his heart pounding in time with his shoes?
'I came as fast as I could!' He took her hands in his and studied her warmly.' But why must we meet here?'
She tossed her head, throwing the hair from her shoulder in the way he had remembered in the weeks he had been away?
'It is better so. I cannot bear the watching eyes. The sneers behind my back.' There was little emotion in her voice.' But we will go inside now. I must speak with you.'
Their shoes rang hollowly on the bare boards. It had been a fine house, but now the plaster was flaking and the walls were heavy with cobwebs?
She walked to a window and said, 'My uncle is in serious trouble, but I expect you know. He was perhaps foolish, but no more than many here.'
Bolitho slipped his hand beneath her arm.' I do not want you to be involved, Susannah.'
His insistence, or the use of her name, made her turn and face him?
'But I am involved, as you put it.'
'No. The smuggling and other offences could have had nothing to do with you. Nobody would ever believe it.'
She stared at him calmly.' Nor does it matter. But one hint of treason would ruin my uncle and all connected with him.' She gripped his arm.' That mans Crozier, have you spoken of his presence at our house? Please, I must know. For if you remain silent, all may yet he well.'
Bolitho turned away.' Believe me, I can save you from that. Your uncle will be sent to England. There is no reason why you cannot remain here.'
Here?' She stood back from him.' What use is that?'
'I-I thought, given time you might see your way to becoming my wife.' In the empty room his words seemed to come back to mock him?
'Marry you?' She brushed her hair from her forehead.' Is that what you thought?'
'Yes. I had cause to hope.' He watched her despairingly.' You hinted that…'
She replied sharply, 'I hinted no such proposals Captain! If things had gone as I had planned, well then maybe…'
He tried again.' But nothing need change for us.'
She continued as if he had not spoken.' I did think that with some help from my friends you might one day amount to something. A position in London, perhaps even a seat in Parliament. All is possible if the will is there.' She lifted her eyes to his face again.' Did you really expect me to marry a sea-officer? Live from day to day waiting for one ship after the other to drop anchor? There are other lives beyond your miserable Service, Captain!'
'It is my life.' He felt the walls closing in on him. The air forced from his lungs as if he was drowning?
'The path of duty.' She walked to the window and looked down at the carriage.' You were a fool to think of my sharing such an existence. An even bigger one if you continue to do so!' She turned easily, her eyes flashing.' There's more to living than catching some poor smuggler in the King's name!'
Bolitho said, 'I did not tell of Crozier being with your uncle. But it is certain to come out when the authorities have finished their inquiries.' He added bitterly, 'Rats always turn on one another when the pickings are few.'
She breathed out slowly, one hand resting lightly below her heart.' Stay a few minutes while I go to ma carriage. I have no wish to be seen here.'
Bolitho reached out his arms and then let them drop to his sides. He was defeated. Had been so for longer than
