Kit took from it a tiny roll of tissue paper, and unfolded it.
"Shall I begin, sir?… It's headed Merton, [Footnote: Merton was at this time the seat of Lady Hamilton.] 17th, 2 a.m., and goes on—" he translated, stumbling—
Everything is going beautifully. There is only one man for England to-day; and for him there is only one woman. She is the absolute master of her N., and he of Barham and the Board. The Victory is due to-morrow. She expects him here on Monday, and will do all. The original plan holds good. He will be off Beachy Head Thursday. The Medusa, 44.
A.F.
Keep the frigate cruising. I am off to Dover at dawn to square up there. Diamond calls for me at the old rendezvous on Wednesday, and puts me on board the frigate that I may be in at the death as our friends this side say.
The boy lifted dark eyes.
"It looks like a—"
The other cut him short.
"In our Service, sir, the Captain speaks when he's the mind; the First
Lieutenant all the time; and the midshipmen—never."
He snapped fierce jaws.