She kissed him quickly. 'Then mark what I have t' say, on y' life, Thomas. On y' very life, I said!'
He mumbled, she kissed him again. 'This is what ye must say th' very instant y' steps into the court. Don't ask any questions — just say it. For my sake, darlin'. Are y' ready?'
Davis appeared at the door, unbowed, and said, with a laugh, 'Aye, well, death o' course, I never doubted it.' His irons were clamped on and he shambled off to the condemned cell. They were accelerating the pace.
'Bring in the prisoner Thomas Paine Kydd.' A plunging fear seized him, but only for a second. His future was ordained: there was no mercy through those doors, he would leave as a condemned felon. He would therefore face his fate without flinching.
Light patterned prettily through the mullions of the sternlights in the Great Cabin. The room was filled with figures in blue and gold lace, grim faces.
'You may stand there.' An officer indicated with a sword.
'You are Thomas Paine Kydd?'
'I am, sir.'
'You stand charged, that—'
'I claim Cap'n Hartwell t' speak f'r me.' He heard his voice, weak but firm.
'You'll have your chance later, my man. Now, on the twelfth day of May 1797, you did—'
'Sir! I claim Cap'n Hartwell—'
'Silence! Silence in court! If you do not keep silence, I will see you gagged, sir!'
'Oh, yes. Ah, er, I do believe we have a rather nice point here.' Kydd's eyes focused on the speaker. 'Might I crave the court's indulgence, sir, and ask the court be cleared?'
'Do you indeed, Cap'n Hartwell? At this stage to be toppin' it the lawyer, dammit!'
'Sir, I have to insist.'
The president of the court glowered. Then, seeing Hartwell's quiet obstinacy, he agreed. 'Clear the court — prisoner can go to the officers' waiting room, but keep a damn close eye on the villain, sir.'
There was a general shuffling about the court: all save the sitting captains and president left the room. Kydd was taken under close escort to the admiral's sleeping quarters, temporarily a waiting room.
'Now, sir, what is this infernal matter that it must so inconvenience the court?'
Hartwell spoke in a low voice, but forcefully. 'Sir, this Kydd is one of the most courageous young men I have known. His loyalty to Crown and country was such that he deliberately sought out the friendship of Parker and the so-called Parliament and, in appalling danger, passed us vital intelligence — warning about the blockade and the best chance for Trinity House to play their part is only some of it. Sir, we can do no more than sympathise with his terrible ordeal, and instantly set him free with a full pardon.'
Rumbles of approval came from around the table, but the president remained unmoved. 'How do ye know it was this man? Did you go out t' the ship an' ask for him?'
'Sir, a good question, if I may remark. It was in fact through the loyal services of a Queenborough merchant that the information was passed.'
'I shall want t' see the merchant identify this man. Is he at hand?'
'He is on deck at this moment, sir.'
'Pray find him - an' make haste if you please, Captain.'
'Sir, this is the merchant in question. He wishes to resume trading at Sheerness shortly and therefore begs for your discretion in the article of naming. He will answer to 'Mr X'.'
'Harrumph! Well, Mr X, we will bring in a prisoner. You will identify him as your informant, and if it is, you will declare to the court, 'This is the man,' or 'This is not the man,' accordingly.'
