Falconer's Quest by T. Davis Bunn

Author:T. Davis Bunn [Bunn, T. Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Admiral La Rue’s answer arrived late the next afternoon, a single word written in bold print.

The brigand’s response was delivered by Bernard Lemi. The banker arrived with the sunset, grim and alone. He doffed his hat to the middy on duty by the gangplank, then a second time to the captain. He waited until the other officers were gathered before handing over the sheet to the captain.

Harkness looked at it a long moment, then gave the parchment to Reginald Langston, who had returned from his offices a few minutes earlier and appeared as grim as the banker. He stared at the message. Agreed. Beneath that was a date four days hence.

Lemi informed the group, “My superior returned from Paris last night. He ordered me to appear before Raban and apologize. He threatened to write to my father and complain of my behavior. He described you as little more than simple ruffians, British and American louts who had no place in French society. All but you, good sir.” Bernard nodded in Reginald’s direction.

“Naturally,” Reginald replied dryly. “Monsieur Sancerre would fear losing my company’s trade.”

“He described you, Monsieur Langston, as deluded by the presence of these hooligans.” Bernard Lemi’s words were bitten off in angry precision, his accent made thicker by his rage. “Raban kept me waiting since eight this morning. When I was finally permitted to enter, he sat at his table at the rear of the café” He gestured at the paper Reginald still held. “I was given this note.”

Harkness drew out his pocket watch, observed the time, and said to Bivens, “We have until midnight to depart with the outgoing tide. How many men do we have on shore?”

“Less than half the watch. The bosun’s been ordered to keep track of their whereabouts.”

“Have him fetch them back, if you please.”

Bivens touched his forelock. “Aye, Captain.”

“Tell him to do so quietly.” Harkness clicked the watch shut. “Though Raban will no doubt know of our actions long before we leave harbor.”

“Aye, sir.”

Harkness said to Bernard, “We are indebted for your service as messenger. Join us for dinner, if you please.”

Lemi bowed his acceptance, then added, “La Rue will have developed a scheme, Captain. Mark my words, he will be out to trap you.”

Harkness shared a look with Falconer. “That is indeed our fervent hope.”

“The Barbary sailors called themselves privateers,” Bernard Lemi explained, “because they carried letters of marque from the princes that ruled the North Africa coast. But the princes were brigands themselves, and the letters were meaningless. They were nothing more or less than pirates.”

Seating at the captain’s table was cramped that evening, for Harkness had invited the midshipmen to dine with them. The four youngsters, the banker, and Amelia Henning took the seats opposite the skipper, who this night was seated closest to the door. Behind Lemi the harbor glinted a dullish copper in the fading light. In the distance, torches were lit around the keep of Fort Saint Jean.

“The Barbary pirates have been a scourge for over five hundred years,” Lemi continued.

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