“I take your word for it. You know, I suppose, that he had his chance of life. My guest, Mr Lechworthy, wrote a letter—”
“Yes, I know. And the only man who disbelieved in the letter was Bassett. He disbelieved in everybody and everything. Extreme fear had made him insane. By the way, it was I who stopped your election to this club, and now I want you to do me a kindness. Damned awkward, isn’t it?”
The King smiled. “That is not the only association you have had with me. What is it you want?”
“I remember no other association. Oh, yes, I gave you a few pills once, didn’t I? Well, I can tell you what I want anyhow. The fact is that this place is becoming a bit too hot for my simple tastes, and I want to clear out. Duncombe’s missing; we’ve had men out all day looking for him and he can’t be found.”
“I had nothing to do with that.”
“Very likely. I don’t accuse you. Still, it happened. Bassett was sentenced and reprieved, and ended by shooting himself. Cyril Mast is boozing himself mad; we are trying to sober him down enough to read the service over Bassett. Every night we find natives, who’ve got no business here, skulking about this place. It’s possible that some of them will hurt themselves. The pot’ll boil over presently, and there will be general hell. I’m a quiet man, and I’d sooner be away. I wish you’d put in a word for me to this Mr Lechworthy. If he had room for Bassett he’s got room for me. I’ll pay my passage, or work it as doctor or anything else, whichever he likes. You might put in a word for me.”
“But why bother Lechworthy? One of our own boats will be going out again in a few days’ time.”
“Thank you. If I wanted to be poisoned with the stink of copra, and eaten alive with cockroaches, I’d go by it. The Snowflake’s a sound clean boat, and I prefer it. The inside will drop out of your schooner one of these days. She’s all right for trade, but she’s slow, rotten and nasty.”
“Very well,” said the King. “I’ll speak to him about it. But of course the decision will rest with him.”
“Of course. Thanks very much.”