“Pity me! pity me!” cried Sharington, falling upon his knees before him. “Take all I have, and let me go.”
Having sufficiently terrified him for his purpose, the admiral said:
“Thou seest that thy life is in my power. What wilt thou do if I save thee?”
“I will do whatever your Highness commands,” replied Sharington, beginning to breathe more freely.
“Well, then, I have occasion for ten thousand pounds. Canst thou procure it for me?”
“Ten thousand pounds!” exclaimed Sharington, in despair. “Your Highness is too hard upon me. I have not the half, nor the third of that sum. Will not less content you?”
“I tell thee I must have ten thousand,” rejoined the admiral. “Nay, before I have done with thee, I must have forty thousand.”
“Better send me to the Tower at once,” groaned Sharington. “‘Tis impossible for me to comply with your Highness’s conditions.”
“Hark ye, Sharington,” cried the admiral, altering his tone, “I will trifle with you no longer. It is true that your life is in my power, but I do not mean to harm you. Let us understand each other.”
“I am all anxiety to learn your Highness’s wishes,” said Sharington, eagerly.
“You are master of the mint at Bristol. The whole of the officers are under your control. The pix is in your keeping, and you have charge of all the gold and silver in bullion.”
“All this is true, your Highness.”
“Tis plain you are not overburdened by any foolish scruples, therefore what I have to propose will not shock you. You have already alloyed the gold for your own benefit—you must continue to alloy it for mine. Nay, you must do more. You must clip all the gold and silver pieces, the rials, angels, rose-nobles, and marks that fall into your hands. Moreover, you must coin base money.”
“All this I would willingly do to pleasure your lordship. But such practices, if long continued, would be sure to be discovered by the moneyers, melters, and blanchers.”
“Your present officers must be dismissed, and others more tractable found. I will silence the assay-master who has dared to denounce you. He shall pass a few months at the Fleet.”
“Nay, if I have your Highness’s support, and I can find cunning artificers to aid me, I doubt not but it may be done, and that I may be able to provide you with the large sum you mention. Forty thousand, I think your Highness said?”
“Forty or fifty thousand, Sir William. You will employ you time badly if you make not as much for yourself.”
“I will do the best I can, your Highness, but there will be heavy fees to the moneyers and melters, and such as sweat and pare the coin. They will not do the work for nothing.”
“It cannot be expected. But you may proceed without fear, Sir William. Ere another year is over our heads, the government of this realm will be in my hands, and I will take good care you are not molested.”
“Ah! if your Highness should be once at the head of affairs, all will be well,” cried Sharington. “Meantime, you will not, perhaps, object to give me an order.”
“An order for what?”
“For the money you require. It will prevent my being called in question hereafter.”
“You are a cunning knave,” cried the admiral. “Well, you shall have the order.”
And he wrote it out and gave it him.
“I shall preserve this carefully,” said Sharington, securing it in his doublet.
“Return to Bristol,” pursued Seymour, and commence operations forthwith. Within a week I shall expect ten thousand pounds.”
“I hope to be able to satisfy your Highness, but if any unforeseen difficulties should arise—”
“I will have no excuses. If you are not punctual, I will enforce payment in a manner that may not be agreeable to you. I have a long arm, and can easily reach those who displease me. The next time you are sent for, it will not be to talk matters over thus.”
Sharington made no reply, but, bowing respectfully to the admiral, withdrew.
“I have found a useful instrument in that man,” thought Seymour, as he was left alone, “but I must keep a wary eye upon him. He looks treacherous.”