Captain Jemmy caught him by the arm, however, and forced him back to
the arm-chair. The Earl shrugged his shoulders.
"Truly you are a Roman parent," said he, bowing ironically; "but you
will excuse me if I find it time to seek the lad's natural father.
Remember, if you please, gentlemen, your promise of silence."
He opened the door and passed quietly through the hall and out of the
house. In the road at the foot of the garden a sergeant stepped out
of the shadow and saluted him.
The Earl gave a muttered order.
"Where is my horse?" he asked.
"A little up the road, my lord. The orderly is walking him up and
down to keep him warm."
The Earl nodded and walked on. A hundred yards farther he came up
with them, and, climbing into the saddle, trotted off towards
Harwich, the orderly at his heels.
At the Cock and Pye Stairs a boat was waiting. He dismounted and,
giving his horse over to the orderly, stepped on board and was rowed
swiftly out towards the harbour, where the lights of the squadron
flickered and its great hulls brooded over the jet-black water.
As the boat crossed under the tilted stern and high, flaming lanterns
of Rear-Admiral Rooke's ship, the _Foresight_, the sentry on deck
sang out his challenge.
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