But unfortunately, sir uncle, he is a little indisposed - oh,
nothing grave; merely sufficient to make him keep his cabin. It is
a little fever, the result of a slight wound taken in the recent
raid upon Barbados, which resulted in this gentleman's happy
deliverance."
"Nay, nephew, nay," Don Miguel protested with ironic repudiation.
"I can have no knowledge of these things. I have the honour to
represent upon the seas His Catholic Majesty, who is at peace with
the King of England. Already you have told me more than it is good
for me to know. I will endeavour to forget it, and I will ask you,
sirs," he added, glancing at his officers, "to forget it also." But
he winked into the twinkling eyes of Captain Blood; then added
matter that at once extinguished that twinkle. "But since Diego
cannot come to me, why, I will go across to him."
For a moment Don Esteban's face was a mask of pallid fear. Then
Blood was speaking in a lowered, confidential voice that admirably
blended suavity, impressiveness, and sly mockery.
"If you please, Don Miguel, but that is the very thing you must not
do - the very thing Don Diego does not wish you to do.
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