This damned pirate has me by the throat."
His lordship surveyed him with an eye that was not by any means
admiring. "Why, if that is your wish..." he began. Then he
shrugged, and turned again to Blood.
"I suppose I can trust you that no harm will come to Colonel Bishop
if you are allowed to sail?"
"You have my word for it," said Blood. "And also that I shall put
him safely ashore again without delay."
Lord Julian bowed stiffly to the cowering Deputy-Governor. "You
understand, sir, that I do as you desire," he said coldly.
"Aye, man, aye!" Bishop assented hastily.
"Very well." Lord Julian bowed again and took his departure.
Blood escorted him to the entrance ladder at the foot of which
still swung the Arabella's own cock-boat.
"It's good-bye, my lord," said Blood. "And there's another thing."
He proffered a parchment that he had drawn from his pocket. "It's
the commission. Bishop was right when he said it was a mistake."
Lord Julian considered him, and considering him his expression
softened.
"I am sorry," he said sincerely.
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