Peter Gross's lips pressed together tightly, but otherwise he gave no sign of his profound astonishment at the governor's astounding proposal. Sinking deeper into his chair until his head sagged on his breast, he deliberated before replying.
"Your excellency is in earnest?"
"I do not jest on affairs of state, Mynheer Gross. What is your answer?"
Peter Gross paused. "Your excellency overwhelms me—" he began, but Van Schouten cut him short.
"Enough! When I have work to do I choose the man who I think can do it. Then you accept?"
"Your excellency, to my deep regret I must most respectfully decline."
A look of blank amazement spread over the governor's face. Then his eyes blazed ominously.
"Decline! Why?" he roared.
"For several reasons," Peter Gross replied with disarming mildness. "In the first place I am under contract with Captain Threthaway of the Coryander—"
"I will arrange that with your captain," the governor broke in.