“Hortalez,” answered Mr. Hodge, “and this under pledge of secrecy, gentlemen, is none other than Beaumarchais himself, and Beaumarchais is the court.”
For an instant there was silence, and the five men looked at one another without saying a word. Then it was Conyngham who spoke.
“Mr. Hodge,” he said, “what you have told me opens the way at once to something that I intended to speak of before this company here at the table. In every port in France, and even in Holland, there are scores of American seamen lying idle because of the embargo that has been placed upon our shipping. They’re eager, every one of them, to strike a blow against the enemy. With money, and brains to direct its disposal, the matter would be easy. There is the Channel filled with British shipping before us. We are here on this side of the water. I have in my mind a long-fostered idea that is easy of accomplishment, and that would promise big returns if successfully set on foot.”
“Your idea, Captain Conyngham,” answered Mr. Hodge, “might not be hard to guess, and let me tell you that it has already been spoken of. By the way,” he added, “I start to-morrow morning for Paris. Will you not accompany me thither, for I think that Dr. Franklin may have something to say to you.”
Conyngham’s face flushed with excited pleasure, as he reached across the table and struck his palm into that of Mr. Hodge.
“I am with you,” he cried, “mind, soul, and body.”
As the party broke up to go they halted at the door. The elder Ross placed his hand on Conyngham’s shoulder.
“You are the man we have been looking for,” he said in a whisper, “the very man.”
“Hold, gentlemen,” whispered Mr. Hodge, softly, “what we have spoken of here this evening we will consider buried in the catacombs of our memory, and it would be better,” he suggested, “if we should meet Captain Conyngham elsewhere to be as strangers to him. Is it so understood?”
The rest nodded, and they passed out into the hallway, at the end of which the smiling landlord greeted them and bowed them out into the street.