"'Tis but a week's work," said Odo, "and it would seem by one stroke you will clear the seas for years."
He turned to me and inquired very exactly all that I knew of the strength of the pirates by sea and land, of the building and position of the Château du Grand Sarrasin, of the Vale Castle, and the defence of it by the monks and islanders.
He learned (for how could I keep back even my own doings, so peremptory he was?) of my being taken captive, and bursting into a huge laughter at the tale of my escape, swore I was a wondrous fellow for my years. Then, as he had a map in his mind of all that I knew, he turned and said to the Vicomte—
"'Tis a brave boy, this thy nephew. Tell me, whose son is he?"
At this the Vicomte hesitated a moment, and I coloured and looked down.
"He is the son," he said at length, "of my younger brother, who this fourteen years has been reckoned unworthy of his place among knights."
The duke looked on me again, and I met his gaze.
"See, then, lad," said he, "that thou redeem thy father's good name! And now for thy mission hither. It is my will to do all that thou askest up to thy desires—yea, and beyond thy desires. This pirate-swarm have massed themselves together, and lo! I will sever their many heads at one blow, and they shall know rightly who is lord and master of the Norman seas and isles. I will bring all my ships——"
He was proceeding, when Odo plucked him by the arm, and, whispering in his ear, as I thought, dissuaded him from coming in person. He frowned and chafed, but at last gave way, and after further words, called to him a little man of wondrous heavy build, yet muscular withal, that stood among the greatest of his lords.
"Hither, Samson d'Anville," said he; "here is brave work for thee, that I was near taking for mine own. Thou shalt be admiral and captain of an expedition that I send with all speed to sweep out with all force the pirates that infest our Norman seas. In great pride they are gathered in Guernsey to defy my power. Take men, take ships, all that thou wilt need, and delay not thy journey, for certain monks and islanders are hard set with famine. See me again to-morrow. Vicomte, good youth, farewell."