The Privateer's Revenge

Carthew looked uncomfortable, furtive almost. 'Sir. Er . . .'

'Come now, Mr Carthew, we can easily determine the answer from your people if necessary.'

'Well, sir . . . then not exactly.'

'Sir—your attempt to shield a brother officer does you credit, but we will have the facts, Commander.'

'I'm truly sorry to have to say, sir, we were hove-to off Brehat in wait for some . . . twenty hours after the appointed time.'

'Thank you, Mr Carthew,' said Saumarez, looking squarely at Kydd. Dropping his eyes, he paused, then seemed to make up his mind. 'Bring in 'Teazer's sailing-master.'

'Mr Dowse, sir.' The weatherbeaten mariner shuffled his feet but gazed resolutely ahead. He carried his own master's log.

'Information has been passed to me that Teazer was sighted two leagues off Cap de Flamanville and again close in under the Nez de Jobourg at the time her orders specifically required her to rendezvous off Brehat. I note to my surprise that there is no entry in the ship's log to this effect. Can you explain this?'

'Yes, sir.'

Saumarez leaned back in expectation.

'Mr Kydd, he said as how it were a secret mission, like, an' not t' trouble enterin' it in th' log.' 'Do you have the true workings for those days?'

'Aye.' Dowse steadfastly avoided Kydd's eye.

'And?'

'As y' said, sir. We closed wi' the coast after dark at L'Anse Pivette an' took aboard a—a object.'

'Then?' prompted Saumarez.

'Then we made all sail f'r the rendezvous.'

'I see. You may stand down now, Mr Dowse,' Saumarez said tightly. 'Is Mr Standish outside?'

'He is, sir.'

'Send him in.'

Standish entered carefully, his eyes darting about the room. 'Sir?'

'Just one question, Mr Standish. What occurred at L'Anse Pivette?'

Teazer's first lieutenant glanced beseechingly at Kydd, then murmured, 'Er, we anchored in the lee of the Race and, um, the captain took away a boat and two men an' landed on the coast o' France.'

'You mean the captain went ashore alone but for two hands at the oars?'

Standish looked stricken. 'Yes, sir.'

'Did he give any reason?'

'N-none that I can recall, sir.'

'Was he ashore long?'

'He was away for only half an hour or so, sir.'

'And when he returned?'

'In the dark it was difficult to see, if you understand, sir.'

'I will make my meaning plainer. Did he return with any object?'

'It was covered with a boat-cloak, sir.'

'And as officer-of-the-deck you didn't even glimpse it as it was swayed aboard?' Saumarez said irritably.

'It was the chest,' Standish admitted.

'Good God!' Kydd exploded. 'This has gone on long enough! Will no one hear me out?'

With a pained expression the admiral replied, 'I would be obliged if you would refrain from so using the Lord's name in vain. Yet in all fairness you shall be heard. What is it that you want to say, sir?'

Kydd held his temper fiercely in check: things were bad enough as they were without a confrontation. 'Sir. This is y'r chest as ye gave orders f'r me to find an' bring back. I can't understand—'

'Mr Kydd. This is the second time you have made this public accusation and I am finding it difficult to restrain my anger. I gave you no such orders, as well you know, and to be certain of this I have sent for your ship's clerk under escort to bring me 'Teazer's orders as received that I might verify their contents myself.'

He glared at Kydd, then called, 'Is—What is his name?'

'Renzi, sir.'

'Is this man in attendance yet?'

'Sir.'