Bolitho 19 - Beyond the Reef by Alexander Kent Read Free Book Online

into it … I acted as I thought best. They can all go to hell before I’d say otherwise!” He walked over to get another chair and Bolitho was further saddened to see that he still limped from his wound. He had been cut down by a jagged splinter on Benbow’s quarterdeck, with his marines and gun crews strewn about him like bloodied bundles of rag.
    “You’ll need help, Thomas. Someone must speak for you. You know who the President is to be?”
    Herrick gave a tight smile. “I heard. Killed more of his own men than the enemy, I shouldn’t wonder!”
    Wheels scraped over the cobbles and harness jingled in the inn yard at another arrival. It seemed as if it came from another world; but suppose it was the Admiralty Marshal? There was only one stairway, and not even the impressive Jack Thornborough could hold him off forever.
    Herrick said suddenly, “Anyway, you’ll be called as a witness.” He spoke with savage bitterness. “To describe what you found after the battle. As a witness you’d not be allowed to defend me, even if I wanted it.” He paused. “I just thank God my Dulcie is not here to see this happening.” He stared at the shining telescope. “I even thought of ending it all, and damn them and their sense of honour.”
    “Don’t talk like that, Thomas. It’s not like you.”
    “Isn’t it? I don’t come from a long line of sea officers like you.” It was almost an accusation. “I started with nothing; my family was poor, and with some help from you I gained the impossible—flag rank. And where has it got me, eh? I’ll tell you: probably in front of a firing-squad, as an example to the others. At least it won’t be my own marines—they all bloody well died.” He waved a hand vaguely, like a man in a dream. “Out there somewhere. And they did it for me—it was my decision.”
    He stood up stiffly, but instead of the rear-admiral Bolitho could only see the stubborn and caring lieutenant he had first met in Phalarope.
    Herrick said, “I know you mean for the best, Richard …”
    Bolitho persisted, “We are friends.”
    “Well, don’t throw away all you’ve achieved for yourself because of me. After this I don’t much care what happens, and that’s the truth. Now please go.” He held out his hand. The grip was just as hard as that lost lieutenant’s had been. “You should not have come.”
    Bolitho did not release his hand. “Don’t turn away, Thomas. We have lost so many friends. We Happy Few—remember?”
    Herrick’s eyes were faraway. “Aye. God bless them.”
    Bolitho picked up his plain cocked hat from the table and saw a finished letter in the light of two candles. It was addressed to Catherine, in Herrick’s familiar schoolboy hand.
    Herrick said almost offhandedly, “Take it if you like. I tried to thank her for what she did for my Dulcie. She is a woman of considerable courage, I’ll grant her that.”
    “I wish you might have told her in person, Thomas.”
    “I have always stood by my beliefs, what is right or wrong. I’ll not change now, even if they allow me the opportunity.”
    Bolitho put the letter in his pocket. He had been unable to help after all; it had all been a waste of time, as Godschale had hinted it would be.
    “We shall meet again next week, Thomas.” He stepped out on to the dark landing and heard the door close behind him even before he had reached the first stair.
    Thornborough was waiting for him by his busy kitchen.
    He said quietly, “Some hot pie to warm you, Sir Richard, afore you leaves?”
    Bolitho stared out at the darkness and shook his head. “Thank you—but I’ve no stomach for it, Jack.”
    The innkeeper watched him gravely. “Bad, was it?”
    Bolitho said nothing, unable to find the words. There were none.
    They had been strangers.
    3
    ACCUSED
    CAPTAIN Valentine Keen stood by Black Prince’s quarterdeck rail and watched two unhappy-looking civilians being swayed up from a boat alongside, their legs dangling from