But no sooner had he departed than up leapt Cahusac, who had been
of the council assembled to receive the Admiral's answer. His face
was white and his hands shook as he held them out in protest.
"Death of my life, what have you to say now?" he cried, his voice
husky. And without waiting to hear what it might be, he raved on:
"I knew you not frighten the Admiral so easy. He hold us entrap',
and he knows it; yet you dream that he will yield himself to your
impudent message. Your fool letter it have seal' the doom of us
all."
"Have ye done?" quoth Blood quietly, as the Frenchman paused
for breath.
"No, I have not."
"Then spare me the rest. It'll be of the same quality, devil a
doubt, and it doesn't help us to solve the riddle that's before us."
"But what are you going to do? Is it that you will tell me?" It
was not a question, it was a demand.
"How the devil do I know? I was hoping you'd have some ideas
yourself. But since Ye're so desperately concerned to save your
skin, you and those that think like you are welcome to leave us.
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