“If,” continued the Doctor, taking up some of the loose bits and piling them along on one side of the top of the frame, “if the better to shelter your crew in an engagement, you construct your rail in the manner proposed—as thus—then, by the excessive weight of the timber, you will too much interfere with the ship’s centre of gravity. You will have that too high.”
“Ballast in the hold in proportion,” said Paul.
“Then you will sink the whole hull too low. But here, to have less smoke in time of battle, especially on the lower decks, you proposed a new sort of hatchway. But that won’t do. See here now, I have invented certain ventilating pipes, they are to traverse the vessel thus”—laying some toilette pins along—“the current of air to enter here and be discharged there. What do you think of that? But now about the main things—fast sailing driving little to leeward, and drawing little water. Look now at this keel. I whittled it only night before last, just before going to bed. Do you see now how—”
At this crisis, a knock was heard at the door, and the chambermaid reappeared, announcing that two gentlemen were that moment crossing the court below to see Doctor Franklin.
“The Duke de Chartres, and Count D’Estang,” said the Doctor; “they appointed for last night, but did not come. Captain, this has something indirectly to do with your affair. Through the Duke, Count D’Estang has spoken to the King about the secret expedition, the design of which you first threw out. Call early to-morrow, and I will inform you of the result.”
With his tawny hand Paul pulled out his watch, a small, richly-jewelled lady’s watch.
“It is so late, I will stay here to-night,” he said; “is there a convenient room?”
“Quick,” said the Doctor, “it might be ill-advised of you to be seen with me just now. Our friend here will let you share his chamber. Quick, Israel, and show the Captain thither.”
As the door closed upon them in Israel’s apartment, Doctor Franklin’s door closed upon the Duke and the Count. Leaving the latter to their discussion of profound plans for the timely befriending of the American cause, and the crippling of the power of England on the seas, let us pass the night with Paul Jones and Israel in the neighboring room.