"
"You propose that Jack and I shall be two of these officers?" asked
Captain Runacles slowly, with a glance at his comrade.
"I think it advisable that you should be at The Hague. You
understand that I merely sketch out a possible course of events."
"Of course. Do you think it likely that the British squadron--
supposing it to behave as you say--would receive support at Calais?"
"I fancy it might find a large squadron of his French Majesty's fleet
waiting there to co-operate."
"And the army?"
"It is possible that events might happen, about that time, among our
regiments in Flanders."
"That, in other words, they would desert to King Lewis?"
"You put it crudely, Captain Runacles. I believe that our gallant
soldiers will act with a single eye to their country's welfare; and I
am sure they will do nothing that can be constructed as a blot upon
their country's flag."
"I also am tolerably certain of that, my lord," answered Captain
Jemmy drily. "Come, Jack--your answer?"
The little hunchback had been leaning back, during the last minute or
two, with his face in the shadow; but at these words he bent forward.
His cheeks were white and drawn.
"Why must I give the answer, Jemmy?"
"Because the lad is your son.
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