“Yes,” said Hilary shortly.
“We shall not have merely one despatch for you to take, to be paid for with so many guineas, my lad, but there will be a regular correspondence carried on, and you will make from it a handsome sum, for we recompense liberally; something different to your munificent pay as officer of the Kestrel.”
Hilary still remained silent, and his tempter pulled a bag of coin from his pocket and threw it heavily upon the table.
“Of course the task is rather a risky one, and deserves to be paid for generously. That I am ready to do. In fact, you may name your own price, and anything in reason will be granted. At the same time I warn you that we shall put up with no trifling, and I may as well say that it is impossible to escape us. We have emissaries everywhere, whose duty it is to reward or punish as the case may require. Come, I see you are growing reasonable.”
“Oh, yes! I am quite reasonable,” said Hilary smiling.
“That’s well,” said the officer; “cast him loose, my lads, and stand more aside. Now, Mr Hilary Leigh,” he said, as his orders were obeyed, “I am glad to find so dashing and brave a young fellow as you finds himself ready to join the good cause. I ask you to swear no oaths of fidelity. I shall merely give you this despatch and a handful of gold coin, and you will bring the answer here at your earliest opportunity.”
“And suppose I refuse?” said Hilary.
“Refuse? Oh, you will not refuse,” said the officer banteringly. “It would be a pity to rob Hanoverian George of so brave and promising a young officer.”
“What do you mean,” said Hilary.
“Oh nothing—nothing,” said the other coolly. “We might, perhaps, think it necessary, as you know so much, to shoot you.”