“The sick passenger?”
“And his sister, sir.”
“Oh yes, I know, board.”
“No, sir, they must come with us. I warn you that Mr Denning’s health is such that he must have medical attendance.”
“Oh, I see,” cried Jarette, with a sneering laugh. “You are afraid of missing your job. There, cure the captain. One patient is enough in an open boat.”
“If anything happens to him, sir, you will have to answer for his life.”
“You are stupid,” sneered Jarette. “You wish to trap me. It would kill the patient to keep him with you, exposed in an open boat. No, Monsieur le docteur, I am too wise—too much of the fox, le renard—to be trapped like that. Push off.”
“No, no, sir,” cried Mr Frewen; “for mercy’s sake, sir, let Mr Denning and his sister be lowered down to us.”
“But they do not wish to come, monsieur.”
“I will not argue with you, sir, or contradict. You hold the power. I only say, for mercy’s sake let that poor suffering invalid and his sister come. We will then push off and leave you to your prize.”