I have some
quickness in reading character; and there is a certain placid
obstinacy in that young man which persuades me he will reach Harwich
in time. Return, therefore, and wait with what patience you may.
Moreover, Captain Barker, I perceive that you are recovering from
some wound."
"Which explains, sire, the tardiness of my submission. I was
starting to seek an audience on the morning that you sailed from
Harwich, when your soldiers--"
"My soldiers?"
"Yes, sire; but perhaps they erred from abundance of zeal."
Portland looked at the speaker shrewdly. "You know more than you
tell us, my friend," he said quietly.
"Possibly, my lord; but it is nothing that can affect his Majesty
now."
"You are under some promise?" William asked gravely.
"We are, sire; but be assured that if it touched your welfare we had
never come to lay our services at your disposal."
"I believe you, my friends. And now, about starting for England--I
was about to propose that as Captain van Adrienssen's frigate--
"Captain van Adrienssen!"
"You know him? He is about to sail from Amsterdam in the frigate
_Merry Maid_ to escort a convoy of thirty-six merchantmen to the
Thames. If you start at once you will overtake him."
"Unfortunately, sire, Captain van Adrienssen will not be able to
start for many days.
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