“You mean me to leave the ship, my lord?”
“Yes. The yacht’s captain and mate will take the place of you and your mate.”
The captain’s face was a study of indecision and doubt.
“It doesn’t seem quite right, my lord.”
“Your late owners have told you to obey me, and I am your new owner. It is quite right. I have merely transferred you to the yacht as if I were transferring you to a ferry boat, in order to take you the more quickly to your new command. We’ll reach Plymouth in a fortnight, or three weeks before the Rajah does. I’d rather you didn’t go to Southampton, but if you think you can keep out of sight, I don’t mind your running across there, seeing your family, and securing that property. Indeed, if the property is still in the market, and the house empty, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t move your people into it. You’ll have time enough, then you can return to Plymouth, see to your new ship, and engage what men you need to supplement the Rajah’s crew when she arrives.”
The captain made no reply: bowed head and wrinkled brow showed that a mental conflict was going on.
“I suppose you are very well known in Southampton?”
“No,” he said; “not so well known as you might think. I’m there for a little while, then off on a long voyage. Not as well known as might be.”
“You see, captain, I’m determined to get out of old Schwartzbrod the money wherewith to pay not only you, but Frowningshield and his men. I don’t intend to leave them marooned there while Schwartzbrod sits safe in London, so I wish no rumor of what has taken place to reach the ears of Schwartzbrod and his syndicate, therefore I don’t want you to be seen and recognized by anybody, if possible, and if you are recognized I am anxious that you should not talk about what has occurred.”
“I see. You want to get all the witnesses shipped off to South America. Well, you know, my lord, meaning no disrespect, your way of doing things seems a little fishy, too, as you said a while ago.”