“Gentlemen,” he said; and then he stopped while every one turned to him, and I thought how handsome, manly, and yet how stern he looked as he stood gazing straight before him and through the cabin-window at the glittering sea, while I could hardly hear a breath. Then he went on—“Heaven knows,” he said, “that I would not shrink from my duty; and Mr Denning may rest assured, that if it comes to the worst, I will give my life sooner than harm should come to the dear lady we all reverence—and love. But I shrink, as a man who has had so much to do with life and death, from taking the life of any one, however vile he may be.”
Mr Brymer fidgeted a little, and Mr Frewen saw it.
“Bear with me a few moments,” he said, “and I have done. I shrink, I say, from shedding blood; but if the stern necessity comes, I will strike home as a man should at such a time.”
“You—” began Mr Brymer.
“Stop, sir, and hear me out,” said Mr Frewen. “It seems to me that there can be no doubt of one thing: if we can shoot down—wounded, I hope—this man Jarette, we might easily master his followers.”
“I have no doubt of that whatever,” said Mr Brymer.
“Exactly, and that shall be done if all other methods fail.”
“What other methods, sir?” said Mr Denning.
“You gentlemen may have some plans, for my part I have but one.”
“We have no plans,” they all said eagerly. “Then you have one?”