Rowan, Lee Winds of Change (LBR)

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.~It was long after supper in fact, nearlymidnight when one of the younger ship s boys camerunning up to David, who was just about to go off-duty. Captain s compliments, Mr.Archer, if you wouldreport to him at your earliest convenience?That meant immediately, of course.The Captain sconvenience was always sovereign, but except in battle SirPaul phrased his orders with the utmost courtesy.Davidmade certain his uniform was in good order and presentedhimself at the Captain s cabin.Will Marshall was already there, and he looked assomber as David had ever seen him. Mr.Archer, the Captain said. I need to have a fewwords with both of you.Over here, if you please. He ledthem to a corner of the day cabin where he kept a smallwriting desk, well away from skylights and out of earshotof even the most determined eavesdropper, and handed afolded piece of the familiar cheap paper to David. Klingler found this sealed in a scrap of sailcloth,addressed to me personally and confidentially.It had beenleft in my cupboard directly abaft your berth. Our ghost has been busy, David said.He unfoldedthe note, held it near one of the hanging lanterns, and feltthe color drain from his face. 2nd Lt.Archer has been engaging in uncleanpractices with 1st Lt.Marshall.Stunned, he heard the Captain say, I mustcongratulate you gentlemen on your convincingperformance, and give you permission to cease and desist.You would surely do so had you been called in and given adressing-down for illicit activities.David swallowed, trying to make his voice work. Thank you, sir. He dared not look at Will.Sir Paul took the note back. I believe it is actually our57Winds of Changephantom who should be congratulated for hisexcessively active imagination.Apart from the carpenterswalk excursions, I had not noticed any unusual behavior,and even that activity was reasonable for officersacquainting themselves with a new ship.If it were not forthat peculiar French display the other morning, that frenzyof signaling, I would begin to wonder if our sabotage wassimply the product of a disordered mind. There is our missing midshipman as well, sir. Indeed.When we have arrived in Kingston I intend tohave the ship searched thoroughly.In this weather, acorpse would not keep indefinitely.If the unfortunateyoung man is indeed dead, I suspect his remains have beenstowed in the bilges, and I do not want his body founduntil we reach port; it would disturb the crew.They rebetter off believing he went overboard in the gale. The last communication I received suggested youmight be told where the body is hidden, sir. Oh, that nonsense.I think it an empty threat.Sinceyou know you did not kill anyone, why should you haveany reason to fear an anonymous accusation? These threatswould carry weight only if you had a guilty secret andyou do not.In any event, an accusation of this gravitywould require an accuser he must needs reveal himselfor find a willing catspaw.As for this rubbish The Captain picked up the newest note and, to David sgreat relief, crumpled it up, lifted the glass on the lantern,and set fire to the thing.When it was well ablaze hedropped it onto the pewter bowl of sand that sat in abracket on his writing desk.After the paper blackened intoash, Sir Paul stirred it until it was blended into a formlessmass. I must be sure Klingler changes the sand, he saidas if to himself. I should hate to blot a letter to my wifeand leave ash-smears across it. Thank you, sir, David said, weak with relief.The Captain snorted. This reptile must know verylittle of me, if he believes I would bring charges against58Lee Rowanone of my own officers on the basis of an anonymouspoison pen.I wouldn t hang a dog on such evidence.Butas the missive itself no longer exists, I see no reason tomention it to Mr.Humberstone.The communications youhave already received have convinced him that his rusewas successful.David thanked him again.Will, quiet until now, asked, Captain, what action do you wish us to take now? Thefellow is still demanding the key to the weapons locker. Give it to him. Sir? they both asked, in startled unison. On Monday, I plan to exercise the upper-deck guns inthe morning watch, as soon as there s light to see.In theafternoon it will be the lower gundecks [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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