“It was not for that I stopped, your Excellency.”
His eyebrows lifted. “No? What then?”
“I am a plain spoken man, Earl Bellamont; shall I have free leave to speak what I feel? Your face showed disfavor when I mentioned the name of Captain Tew. I am ignorant of what he may be to you, but I do not wish to compromise one who has played the part of a good friend to me.”
I stopped. There was a look of amusement in the Earl’s eyes as he put out his hand and touched a bell. A servant appeared who, at the governor’s bidding, fetched a tray with wine and glasses for three upon it, and a dish of salt. I could hardly contain my surprise at this unusual proceeding, nor did I understand its import till the Earl, after moistening his finger in the wine, placed it on the salt and then touched his tongue.
“It is an old custom we have in Yorke,” he said, smiling.
“You honor me more than I deserve,” I cried in admiration at the way he had put it out of his power to use these communications to his own advantage. For the observation of this custom meant that we were friends and guests, and that our talk would be held in the strictest confidence.
“I think you will trust me now,” he continued gravely. “If I read your face aright, Monsieur Le Bourse, you are the kind of man we need in these troublesome times. Now—if you will be kind enough to continue your narrative.”
I told him all I knew, holding back nothing, for I had full faith in the man whom I already looked upon as a sort of patron. He listened with grave attention, now and then expressing his hearty sympathy in a way that was at once delicate and reassuring.
“Here is to the safety of Mistress Ruth,” he said lifting a glass.
“Safety!” I cried. “You do not doubt?”