Second to None by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent [Kent, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: C429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9780099497752
Publisher: Random House UK
Published: 2007-04-02T14:30:00+00:00

than one man. Questions and answers, and, just once, a tired laugh. And coughing. “He’s dying. O’Beirne’s done all he can. I’ve been with him, too.”

Avery watched the dark profile, the strain around the eyes and mouth. He could feel the energy too, refusing to submit. When he had entered the cabin, his mind still clinging to the sentry’s words, he had taken in the coat tossed carelessly on to a chair, one of Cristie’s charts weighed down on a table by the bench seat, some brass dividers, the master’s notebook. An untouched cup of coffee and an empty glass beside it. The captain was driving himself again; perhaps in truth he did resent the change of orders.

Avery knew well enough that there were few bonds as strong as the one he had enjoyed with Richard Bolitho anywhere in the navy. Rank and responsibility did not allow it.

Or did he blame himself in some way? What captain would tolerate a prisoner, even a wounded one, in his own quarters?

Adam said, “He’s delirious for much of the time. Young Napier’s in there with the surgeon—he’s a good lad.” He added with some bitterness, “Lovatt believes he’s his son!”

Avery had seen Lovatt’s son on the way here, waiting with one of the midshipmen as escort. He could guess the rest.

When Adam turned, he was calm again.

“I asked you to come here because I think you can help me.”

Why had he sent for him, and not the first lieutenant?

Adam said, “In your original report to Sir Graham Bethune, you made mention of a Captain Martinez, whom you described as adviser to Mehmet Pasha, the governor and commander-in-chief in Algiers. Spanish . . .”

He broke off as Lovatt shouted, “Helm a’ lee, man! Are you blind, damn you!” It was followed by a bout of coughing, and Avery heard O’Beirne’s resonant voice for the first time.

Adam continued, “A renegade, you said?”

S ECOND TO NONE

183

Avery forced himself to think, aware of the controlled urgency in the captain’s tone.

“Yes, sir. He changed sides several times, but is useful to the Dey. He has or had connections in Spain when we met him. But the Dey is a hard man to serve, and Martinez will be very aware of it.”

Adam said, “Lovatt spoke of him this morning. He said that the powder and shot, and other supplies not listed, were provided by Spanish sources, the whole of Tetrarch’s cargo to be exact.”

Avery tried to shut his ears to the pitiful muttering and retching from the sleeping compartment. This was important, it had to be, and yet it made no sense.

Adam said, “He also told me that a second supply ship was to follow Tetrarch. ” He gestured impatiently to the chart.

“Tomorrow we shall be north of Bona. The hornets’ nest, eh?”

He almost smiled. “You will doubtless remember it well?”

Avery was silent for a moment, seeing it in his mind, as he had done in the past.

“It would make sense, sir. Our patrols, such as they are, would be less likely to sight them, and even then .

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