"He came a few days before I escaped, and wanted me to come here as a spy. Angria promised me my freedom and a large sum of money."
"What"s that?" cried Merriman. "Wanted you to come as a spy?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him he might do it himself."
"A palpable hit!" said Merriman with a grim laugh, "and a very proper answer. But he"ll have more respect for his skin."
"Gentlemen," put in Mr. Bourchier, "we have kept Mr. Burke talking so much that he hasn"t had a mouthful of food. I think we might go out on the veranda and smoke our cheroots while he takes some supper. Mr.
Johnson, you"ve done most justice to my viands, I think. Perhaps you will join us."
The superintendent became purple in the face. He had in fact been eating and drinking with great gusto, taking advantage of the preoccupation of the company to ensure that the excellent fare should not be wasted. He rose hurriedly, and, with a sheepish look that scarcely fitted his cheerful features, followed his sarcastic host to the veranda. All the guests save Mr. Merriman accompanied Mr.
Bourchier.
"They all want to talk shop--this expedition against the Pirate," said Mr. Merriman. "You and I can have a little chat."
Desmond was attracted by the open face of his new acquaintance, slightly disfigured, as he noticed, by a long scar on the left temple.
"You"re plucky and lucky," continued Merriman, "and in spite of what Mr.
Clive calls your bad start in bowling me over, you"ll do well."
His face clouded as he went on:
"That man Diggle: why should he have sold you to the Pirate: what had he against you?"
"I cannot imagine, sir."
"You are lucky to have escaped him, as Mr. Clive said. I think--yes, I will tell you about him. His name is not Diggle; it is Simon Peloti.
He is a nephew of Sir Willoughby. His mother married a Greek, against her brother"s wish; the man died when the child was a year old. As a boy Peloti was as charming a little fellow as one could wish: handsome, high-spirited, clever. He did well at school, and afterwards at Cambridge: won a fellowship there. Then he went to the dogs--not all at once; men never do. He was absolutely without principle, and thought of nothing but his own ease and success. One thing led to another; at last, in the "45----"
He paused. After a moment he went on:
"I had a brother, my lad----"
He stopped again, his face expressing poignant grief.
"I know, sir," said Desmond. "Sir Willoughby told me."
"He told you! And he did not mention Peloti?"
"No, sir; but I see it all now. It was Diggle--Peloti, I mean--who betrayed your brother. I understand now why the Squire took no steps against Grinsell. His accomplice was Diggle."
He related the incident of the housebreakers.
"Yes," said Merriman, "that throws a light on things. Peloti, I imagine, had previously seen the Squire, and tried to get money from him. Sir Willoughby refused: he gave him a thousand pounds ten years ago on condition he left the country and did not return. So the villain resolved to rob him. "Twas fortunate indeed you appeared in time. That is the reason for his hating you."
"There was another, sir," said Desmond with some hesitation. "He thought I was hankering after the Squire"s property--aiming at becoming his heir. "Twas ridiculous, sir; such an idea never entered my head."
"I see. Peloti came to India and got employment in the Company"s service at Madras. But he behaved so badly that he had to be turned out--he said Mr. Clive hounded him out. What became of him after that I don"t know. But let us leave the miserable subject. Tell me, what are your ideas? What are you going to do now that you are a free man once more? Get another berth as supercargo?"
His eyes twinkled as he said this.
"No thank you, sir; once bit twice shy. I haven"t really thought of anything definite, but what I should like best of all would be a cadetship under Colonel Clive."
"Soho! You"re a fighter, are you? But of course you are; I have reason to know that. Well, we"ll see what my friend Mr. Clive says. You"ve no money, I suppose?"
"Not a halfpenny, sir; but if the Governor will admit that the grab is my lawful prize, I thought of selling her; that will bring me a few pounds."
"Capital idea. Punctilio won"t stand in the way of that, I should think. Well now, I"ll speak to Mr. Clive for you, but don"t build too much on it. He cannot give you a commission, I fear, without the authority of the Governor of Madras; and though no doubt a word from him would be effectual, he"s a very particular man, and you"ll have to prove you"re fit for a soldier"s life. Meanwhile, what do you say to this?
I"ve taken a fancy to you. I"m a merchant; trade pays better than soldiering, in general. I"ve got ships of my own, and I daresay I could find a berth for you on one of them. You seem to know something of navigation?"
"Very little, sir; just what I picked up on the _Good Intent_."
"Well, that"s a beginning. I"ve no doubt that Admiral Watson will wish you to go to Gheria with him: your knowledge of the place will be useful. He won"t start for a month or two: why not occupy the time in improving your navigation, so that if there are difficulties about a cadetship you"ll be competent for a mate"s berth? Nothing like having two strings to your bow. What do you say to that?"
""Tis very good of you, sir; I accept with pleasure."
"That"s right. Now when you"ve finished that curry we"ll go out on the veranda. Before you came they were talking of nothing but their dogs; but I wager "tis nothing but the Pirate now."
They soon rejoined the other gentlemen.
"Come, Mr. Burke," said Admiral Watson, "we"ve been talking over the information you"ve given us. You"ve nothing to do, I suppose?"
"I"ve just suggested that he should read up navigation, Mr. Watson,"
said Merriman.
"You"re a wizard, Mr. Merriman. I was proposing to engage Mr. Burke to accompany us on our expedition against the Pirate. He can make himself useful when we get to Gheria. We"ll see how James"s information tallies with his. You won"t object to serve his Majesty, Mr. Burke?"
""Tis what I should like best in the world, sir."
"Very well. Meanwhile learn all you can; Captain King here will take charge of you, I"ve no doubt."
"Certainly, Mr. Watson."
"You will give Mr. Burke quarters for the present, Mr. Johnson?" said Merriman.
"To be sure. And as "tis late we"d better be going. Good night, your Excellency; good night, gentlemen."
Early next day Admiral Watson himself rode down to the harbour to inspect the grab. He was so much pleased with her that he offered to buy her for the service. Before the day was out Desmond found himself in possession of seven thousand rupees. After paying the Marathas the wages agreed upon, he proceeded to divide the balance. He retained two shares for himself, and gave each of the men who had escaped with him an equal part. No one was more surprised than Fuzl Khan when he received his share in full. He had expected to get the punishment he knew he well deserved. But Desmond, against the advice of the superintendent, determined to overlook the man"s misconduct. He went further. At his request Admiral Watson gave him a place on the grab. The Gujarati seemed overwhelmed by this generosity on the part of a man he had wronged, and for the nonce breaking through his usual morose reserve, he thanked Desmond, awkwardly indeed, but with manifest sincerity.
The other men were no less delighted with their good fortune. The sum they each received made them rich men for life. None was more elated than Surendra Nath. It happened that Mr. Merriman came on board to see the grab at the moment when Desmond was distributing the prize money.
Desmond noticed a curious expression on the Babu"s face, and he was compelled to laugh when the man, after a moment"s hesitation, walked up to Mr. Merriman, and with a strange mixture of humility and importance said:
"I wish you a very good morning, your honour."
"Good gad!--Surendra Nath Chuckerb.u.t.ti! I"m uncommonly glad to see you."