“Yes, sir,” his voice was hardly more than a whisper. “Thank you, sir.”
Now the expected knock on the door.
“Boat’s coming alongside, sir!”
“Very well, I’ll come.”
Hornblower hurried out on to the quarter-deck and down the gangway to greet the visitor. Darkness had fallen and Cadiz Bay was quite placid, like a dark mirror.
Mr Carron wasted no time; he hurried aft ahead of Hornblower with strides that equalled Hornblower’s at his hastiest. When he sat in a chair in the chart-room he seemed to fill the little place completely, for he was a big heavily built man. He mopped his forehead with his handkerchief and then readjusted his wig.
“A glass of claret, sir?”
“Thank you.” Mr Carron still wasted no time, plunging into business while Hornblower filled the glasses.
“You’re from the Channel Fleet?”
“Yes, sir, under orders from Admiral Cornwallis.”
“You know about the situation then. You know about the flota?” Carron dropped his voice at the last words.
“Yes, sir. I’m here to take back the latest news to the frigate squadron.”
“They’ll have to act. Madrid shows no sign of yielding.”
“Very well, sir.”
“Godoy’s terrified of Boney. The country doesn’t want to fight England but Godoy would rather fight than offend him.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m sure they’re only waiting for the flota to arrive and then Spain will declare war. Boney wants to use the Spanish navy to help out his scheme for invading England.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Not that the Dons will be much help to him. There isn’t a ship here ready for sea. But there’s the Félicité here. Forty-four guns. You saw her, of course?”
“Yes, sir.”
“She’ll warn the flota if she gets an inkling of what’s in the wind.”
“Of course, sir.”
“My last news is less than three days old. The courier had a good journey from Madrid. Godoy doesn’t know yet that we’ve found out about the secret clauses in the treaty of San Ildefonso, but he’ll guess soon enough by the stiffening of our attitude.”
“Yes, sir.”
“So the sooner you get away the better. Here’s the despatch for the officer commanding the intercepting squadron. I prepared it as soon as I saw you coming into the Bay.”
“Thank you, sir. He’s Captain Graham Moore in the Indefatigable.”
Hornblower put the despatch into his pocket. He had been aware for some time of sounds and subdued voices from the cabin next door, and he guessed the reason. Now there was a knock and Bush’s face appeared round the door.
“One moment, please, Mr Bush. You ought to know I’m busy. Yes, Mr Carron?”
Bush was the only man in the ship who would dare to intrude at that moment, and he only if he thought the matter urgent.
“You had better leave within the hour.”
“Yes, sir. I was hoping you might sup with me this evening.”
“Duty before pleasure, although I thank you. I’ll cross the bay now and make the arrangements with the Spanish authorities. The land breeze will start to make before long, and that will take you out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make every preparation for weighing anchor. You know of the twenty-four hour rule?”
“Yes, sir.”
Under the rules of neutrality a ship of one contending nation could not leave a neutral harbour until one whole day after the exit of a ship of another contending nation.
“The Dons may not enforce it on the Félicité, but they’ll certainly enforce it on you if you give them the opportunity. Two-thirds of Felicité’s crew are in the taverns of Cadiz at this moment, so you must take your chance now. I’ll be here to remind the Dons about the twenty-four hour rule if she tries to follow you. I might delay her at least. The Dons don’t want to offend us while the flota’s still at sea.”
“Yes, sir. I understand. Thank you, sir.”
Carron was already rising to his feet, with Hornblower following his example.
“Call the Consul’s boat,” said Hornblower as they emerged on to the quarter-deck, Bush still had something to say, but Hornblower still ignored him.
And even when Carron had left there was still an order for Bush with which to distract him.