The Privateer's Revenge

'He gave a name?'

'Well, yes, sir—a Mr Rancy, sir.' 'Renzi!' The door burst open—and Kydd stood there, utter delight on his face. 'Nicholas!' he cried. 'Ye're here!'

Renzi stood slowly. 'Yes, dear fellow, as you have rightly perceived, I am indeed here,' he said, eyes smarting.

Kydd advanced impulsively and hugged his friend. Then, frowning, he held him at arm's length. 'That rogue the prince o' whatever—why, he's been working ye half t' death. Still, no need f'r that kind o' thing any more, Nicholas. We're rich!'

While Renzi was digesting the 'we,' Kydd turned on the major-domo. 'Rouse up th' hands!' he roared. 'We're t' have a right true welcome home t' two heroes o' the sea!'

They moved to the more august surroundings of the spacious drawing room, and Renzi noted how confidently Kydd moved about the sumptuous furnishings. Soon, fortified by a fine brandy, the two friends were slipping back into their old familiarity.

'Then do I take it that your recent voyage might be accounted successful, brother?'

'Aye,' Kydd said, with relish. 'One who thought t' go a-tradin' with th' French colonies—a right Tartar but no match f'r the Witch, o' course.'

'So now you have taken the character of a man of means, not to say wealth.'

'Oh, this pile, y' think so? It's on a very favourable lease fr'm a Mr Vauvert, rich cove who's done well out o' investin' in m' cruises.'

'Then this bounteous cornucopia might be said sufficient for your plans now to go afoot.'

'Ah—the plans. Nicholas, I've had time t' think about it. It wasn't really much of a plan t' conceive they'll put 'emselves up against th' law just f'r a few guineas. Foolish t' believe so, don't y' think?'

'I'd be obliged to agree, dear fellow. But what if we could find some other way to right this grievous wrong done to you?'

'Y' mean, lay out the gold t' hire a flash London lawyer as will see me right? No, Nicholas, without we have th' evidence t' show him it just won't fadge.'

'Perhaps then we could find a denizen of the demi-world, an abandoned creature not noted for the delicacy of his morals who would follow the trail wheresoever it led. But who would know such a person?'

'Nicholas!' Kydd exclaimed, scandalised. 'I'll not have dealings wi' such. It's not the place f'r a gentleman, as you y'self tells me!' he said with heat. Hesitating, he conceded reluctantly, 'So it seems I'll have t' face it. There's no way forward. This is m' lot in life, an' if I'm t' be truthful then it's t' say that it's not so hard, an' I'm still fightin' the King's enemies—in a private way, o' course.'

'Umm. Well, do tell me, for my interest, if it were in any wise made possible that at some future date the vile act is exposed and the malefactors brought to a reckoning, would you still desire to set yourself on 'Teazer's quarterdeck again? To give away the carefree life of a corsair for the stern duties of the Navy?'

Puzzled, Kydd blinked. 'Why, o' course! Why else would I . . . ? Ah, I see—ye're flamming me! Well, Nicholas, let me say ye can be sure that if I c'n think of another plan as'll smoke 'em out, well, I'll do it with all m' heart.'

Renzi paused. A half-smile spread as he felt about inside his waistcoat. 'Well, now, if you're ever to be a commander again we'll have to find a way to deal with these.' Slowly he withdrew a small sheaf of papers.

Unfolding the top one and holding it up, he asked innocently, 'Oh, er, do you recognise this at all?'

'My God! Th' secret orders! Where did you . . . ?'

'From the knave who deliberately inserted them into your lawful orders.'

'Who?' 'As instructed by another, who most ardently wished for your ruin.'

'Who, damn it, Nicholas? Was it Lockwood?' Kydd blazed.

'Prosser.'

Kydd slumped in amazement. 'That—that gib-faced shicer? In God's name, why?'

'To achieve his step as an officer.'

'An' who was th' other?'

'The principal was Carthew. In a fit of jealous rage he paid a smuggler to land the chest and used Prosser to falsify your orders. Simple, really.'

Kydd shook his head in wonder. 'That any should be s' low.' He turned to Renzi. 'Nicholas, how did ye . . . ?'

'Oh, merely the application of common logic, and when I enquired it of him he most readily admitted the act. You will find his written confession here, the name of the smuggler, and as well he has agreed to testify against Carthew.'

Speechless, Kydd could only gaze at him in admiration. 'Then— then this means . . .'

'It is over, dear friend. With this evidence your reinstatement will be a matter of formality only, and remembering the particular kindness Sir James Saumarez had for you, I would not be in the least surprised to find him especially anxious to make up in some handsome way for what you have suffered.' Stretching out lazily, he continued, 'And from henceforth your new fortune will set you in the first rank of society, never more to concern yourself with trifles as we mortals must. Not forgetting that your means now will bring you influence and power, perhaps a seat in parliament? It were folly for the Admiralty to ignore such a one.'

Kydd listened quietly, then grinned. 'O' course, Nicholas, if life in a pawky brig-sloop doesn't please ye any