“I can have it done immediately,” the Captain volunteered.
“Perhaps, monsieur, you would deem it possible to release the Captain,” Lord Wye suggested gently. “And if the other men aboard are in irons, it would be a wise move to set them free. The sooner they get to work the better.”
“Yes, yes,” the Frenchman agreed and gave the order.
“And now another glass of wine, monsieur?” Lord Wye invited him. “I have a claret below that I should very much appreciate your opinion on. After all it comes from your country and I have been told it is the best the Bordeaux valley can produce, but I should value a connoisseur’s opinion on that.”
The Steward brought more wine and the Frenchman became more genial.
The sun was rising and Elvina had a great desire to see what lay outside.
“Might I go and
