«Tricks? What tricks can I play?» The Captain smiled wistfully. «I have no buccaneers, no ship, no demi–cannon. Not even a sword, as you remarked, Major. For the only trick I might yet play you…» He broke off, and changed his tone to add more briskly: «Major Macartney, since there's no thousand pounds to be earned by you for taking me, should you not be a fool to refuse a thousand pounds for leaving me? For forgetting that you have seen me?»
Macartney flushed. «What the devil do you mean?»
«Now don't be getting hot, Major. Think it over until this evening. A thousand pounds is a deal of money. You don't earn it every day, or every year, in the service of King James; and you perceive quite clearly by now that you won't earn it by arresting me.»
Macartney bit his lip, looking searchingly meanwhile at the Colonel. «It…it's unthinkable!» he exploded. «I am not to be bribed. Unthinkable! If it were known…»
Captain Blood chuckled. «Is that what's troubling you? But who's to tell? Colonel de Coulevain owes me silence at least.»
The brooding Colonel roused himself. «Oh, at least, at least. Have no doubt of that, sir.»
Macartney looked from one to the other of them, a man plainly in the grip of temptation. He swore in his throat. «I'll return at six,» he announced shortly.
«With an escort, Major, or alone?» was Blood's sly question.
«That's…that's as may be.»
He strode out, and they heard his angrily–planted feet go clattering across the hall. Captain Blood winked at the Colonel, and rose. «I'll wager you a thousand pounds that there will be no escort.»