The Privateer's Revenge

shrewd eyes taking in Kydd's appearance. 'Do come in.'

The house was spacious and dark-panelled in the old style with expensive ornaments tastefully placed. 'Might I offer you something against this cold evening?'

The cognac was the finest Kydd had tasted; this was hardly surprising, he reflected, given the smuggling reputation of Guernsey. 'Tell me, sir,' he began, 'how it is y' know my name.'

'Why, sir, you must understand that good intelligence is a merchant's first requirement if he is to be successful. Your misfortune is not unknown in the fraternity of commerce.'

Kydd coloured. 'Sir! I have t' make it plain that—'

'Mr Kydd, the circumstances are known to me. If you are innocent I can only commiserate—but if you were informed upon by another less successful than yourself, it is no reflection on your judgement that you were unprepared for such an odious act. Such things do happen from time to time in the conduct of business and you will find no one in Guernsey who will say that the pursuit of profit is in any way morally offensive.'

'But—'

'I rather feel we should proceed to more constructive discussion. Do sit, sir.' The fire had settled to a comfortable heat in the elegant study and Kydd tried to compose himself. If this was a rich merchant seeking a prestige ornament for his establishment by offering him token employment . . .

'Now, Mr Kydd, let me be open with you. To waste the talents of a sea officer of such shining credentials as yourself in idleness would seem to reflect badly on a nation as sore beset as ourselves. The reasons might be debated but the circumstance itself might yet prove of advantage to both you and me.'

He went on: 'I shall be brief. You are a naval officer of proved distinction with an active and aggressive attitude to meeting the enemy. These qualities are one and the same as those required in the captain of a private man-o'- war.'

'A privateer? No!' Kydd spluttered. 'I—it's not possible! I can't—'

'No?' Vauvert said evenly. 'Then I've misjudged you, sir. At a time when your country lies under as great a peril as ever it has, you would spend your time at leisure ashore? Let me point out to you that your King's ship and your privateer are in the same business of reprisal. One is at the King's expense, the other paid for by concerned citizens who seek to make their contribution.'

'Mr Vauvert, you don't understand. F'r a naval officer—'

'And has it escaped you that war by this means costs His Majesty not a penny? The enemy is made to pay for his own destruction. The sale of prizes repays our own contributions and any overplus is to the credit of those by whose exertions and valour they are secured.'

'But—'

'This very house, sir, a not insignificant monument I would dare to say, is itself raised on the proceeds of private cruising in the past age.'

Kydd felt anger mount. The man knew nothing of the contempt a King's officer held for his commercial rivals. He could hear cries of disgust as his fellow officers learned of his fall from grace, see the shaking heads. No, it was simply not possible.

And this was the thing he had sworn not to do. Absent himself at sea while his quest remained unresolved? It was the very reason he was delaying in Guernsey. 'No,' he said, with finality. 'It's kind o' you t' think on me, but I'm unable t' see m' way clear in th' matter. I'll bid ye good-day, sir.'

Vauvert's disappointment was plain. 'My carriage is at your disposal, sir,' he said stiffly.

'That won't be necessary,' Kydd said, and left.

But outside his annoyance ebbed. Vauvert's disappointment had been genuine; in a way it was a tribute to the respect in which Kydd was held. The man had probably counted on his agreeing to be a privateer captain, with a fine profit on every prize he brought in.

Not that it would in any way sway—Kydd stopped in his tracks. He was getting nowhere in trying to uncover the plot against him and he probably never would unless he tried another tack. Lockwood had obviously bribed a clerk in the admiral's office, no doubt with the connivance of someone local. And what could be bribed could be unbribed! Elation surged: with enough gold in the right places he could achieve anything he wished, including a recanting of the false witness against him. And what faster way to accrue the necessary wealth than as a privateer whose fortune could be won in a single voyage?

With rising excitement he hurried back. He would need to seek leave for employment at sea in the usual way, no doubt, just as he had done for the convict transport to New South Wales. His half-pay would cease immediately, but what an opportunity. Nothing could stand against a determined man with a pot of gold at his back.

The negociant was blank-faced as Kydd was shown back in. 'Mr Vauvert, I do apologise, sir, I may have been too precipitate in m' departure. I should have enquired more concerning m' prospects in th' venture.'

'I understand, Mr Kydd. It can seem a big step to take when you're not familiar with practices,' he said. 'I'll do what I can to set your mind at rest. A cigar? No? Perhaps more brandy.' A servant appeared with a tray. 'Please let me tell you a little of the business.

'I use the word advisedly, for this is something we must keep always before us. It is in the nature of an investment and for so doing we expect a return—to bear a profit to the investors, at the least to recoup our costs.' He looked keenly at Kydd. 'Now, prudent men of business do weigh the prospects of a return against the risk to their capital, and that of private cruising requires the greatest thought of all. I do not have to detail to a man of your experience the costs of setting a vessel a-swim, but to those must be added considerable legal and agency costs, especially if a prize is to be contested in the courts.'

Kydd attended politely, aware that if he was to become a noteworthy privateer captain he must learn as much of these elements as he could.

'It might be said that the chief determinant in success or otherwise of a voyage must be the richness of the cruising ground but I have to tell you that it is not. It is in equal measure the acumen of the financing promoter, and the sagacity and enterprise of the captain.' He smiled at Kydd. 'You are young and daring, it is true, but your recent actions before Granville tell me that this is tempered in no small measure by cool thinking and a practical appraisal