Ramage flushed but said nothing. There was nothing to say except to agree with Southwick, because the old man knew he was right and did not need Ramage to tell him so; in fact would be heartily embarrassed if he did.

Both Southwick and Aitken picked up their hats. Aitken put the list of witnesses on the desk while Southwick led the way to the door, muttering that they would be back later.

As the door closed behind them and Ramage noticed for the first time the whine of a high wind in the masts and riggings - it sounded as though a squall was sweeping down on them, and he saw rain running down the glass of the skylights - he realized that apart from the reference to recognition, there was nothing that Southwick had said that he disagreed with or could deny. It was a shameful admission to have to make, and he was ashamed that Southwick and Aitken had been forced into such a position. Then, thinking of their embarrassment - trying to put some backbone into their captain - he remembered phrases spoken by the Yorkes which had not, at the time, made much sense. Yes, and glances between Sidney and Alexis which he had intercepted and assumed were something that happened between brother and sister (not having a sister he did not know) but which he now recognized were glances of despair or silent pleas for help or support for something one of them had said.

He felt hot and ashamed: hot from the embarrassment that four people, one of them Alexis, had inspected him and found him weak, and ashamed that he had in fact mentally given up without openly admitting it. Given up, he told himself bitterly, because of the threat of being beaten by a madman, or the fear that, with Sarah probably dead, he had no purpose left.

No, he protested to himself, that was not the whole problem. A major part of it was the Articles of War. Anything reduced to paragraphs invariably ended up as nonsense when applied to a living situation. Admirals and captains, since the Byng court-martial and execution, had to fight any odds in battle, however stupid it might be and however much wiser it would be to wait for reinforcements or even decline action, because of a phrase in Article XII, the phrase that did for poor old Admiral Byng - "shall not do his utmost". This could find a man guilty whether he was an admiral or a cook's mate. What was a man's "utmost" and who, not there at the time, could determine the circumstances?

It was curious how Southwick could read his mind. Ramage had sensed that the old man knew Ramage was not more frightened of the death sentence than he was of being killed in action against the French. Death was death, a big black curtain. But Southwick (and almost certainly Aitken too) knew that the man who accepted death in battle would be ashamed of dying at the hands of a firing squad carrying out the sentence of a court-martial - the fate of Admiral Byng, who had been outraged at the government's original intention, which was to hang him. All governments were capable of the vindictiveness that went with brutish stupidity (the treatment of Byng showed that).

The convoy sailed from the Sound next day and as Ramage and Southwick watched the ships weighing, shepherded by a frigate and two sloops, Southwick commented: "Admiral Goddard must be sure of himself ..."

Ramage, thinking of the brief letter from the deputy judge advocate which was now locked in his drawer, nodded in agreement. "Still, they haven't realized yet who the Yorkes are. As a shipowner, Mr Yorke's word will carry some weight."

"Maybe, and maybe not," Southwick said. "But don't let's anticipate too much unhappiness. Have you heard from your father, sir?"

"Not yet: there hasn't been time. But I want him to stay out of sight. The Press will eventually make a great song and dance, although the Morning Post is likely to be on my side. It has never liked the Prince of Wales and perhaps it doesn't like Admiral Goddard either! Anyway, don't forget it takes about a week for news to reach London from here."

Southwick gave one of his famous sniffs, this time clearly indicating contempt, and after looking round to make sure no one else was within earshot, said respectfully but firmly: "Never lose sight of one thing, sir: it's what happens at the trial on board the Salvador del Mundo that matters.

"The Press can say what it likes, mobs can throw half-bricks through the windows of the Admiralty (and I reckon they will, once they hear about it: you're a hero to them) and Parliament can debate it all when it sits again - too late to do us any good: just our luck that this happens during the recess - but once the court gives its verdict, it's all over.

"Once that verdict is pronounced, then it becomes a matter of pride: the court will never admit it made a mistake, nor will the Admiralty, nor will the government. The law officers of the Crown can turn themselves into murderers - judicial o' course - without a moment's thought. Look at the Earl of Hardwicke in the Byng affair. He was Lord Chancellor and planned the murder."

"All three were newly created titles," Ramage said jokingly. "His Grace the Duke's title dates from Byng's trial, 1756, and the Hardwicke earldom came a couple of years earlier. I can't remember when Anson had his barony - probably owed it to his wife's father, after he sailed round the world."

"Well, my point is that once there's a verdict," Southwick said doggedly, "no one in authority is ever going to change his mind. Poor Admiral Byng was a good example. The court itself later said they never intended that he should be executed, but just the same he was led out and shot on the quarterdeck of the Monarch."

"I shall insist on the Calypso," Ramage said lightly, "even though you'll have to get the quarterdeck holystoned afterwards."

"Don't even joke about it, sir. Might I ask what that last letter was about?"

"Just a brief note from the deputy judge advocate telling me that several of the people I wanted to call as witnesses are no longer here and so won't be available for the trial."

Southwick's bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Who are they?"

"A couple of the masters of merchant ships. They're not vital. The Yorkes have been notified - that other boat from the shore brought a note from them saying they'd each received a letter from the deputy judge advocate 'desiring' them to attend to give evidence. I listed them by their surname and initials, so the deputy judge advocate assumed they were both men."

"If he's like most deputy judge advocates I've ever seen," Southwick said sourly, "he could look at Miss Yorke and still not know the difference! But did the idea of giving evidence for you make her feel nervous, sir?"

Ramage shook his head, laughing at the memory. "On the contrary. From what she said and the look in her eye, I almost felt sorry for Admiral Goddard."

"They'll find a way, sir," Southwick said crossly. "They'll find a way to prevent the Yorkes giving evidence, you'll see. The admiral will remember Mr Yorke from that business in Port Royal."

"I know, but they want to help and I'm not going to disappoint them, so I put them on my list. They'll be able to see the trial, anyway."

"No they won't, sir," Southwick said. "They'll see the court assembling and the swearing in, but after that, as listed witnesses, they'll have to withdraw. You can't stay and listen to what's going on if you're going to give evidence later!"

Southwick pointed to another boat heading for the Calypso and about to be challenged by one of the Marine sentries. "Anyone would think we're the only ship in the Sound!"

Ramage looked at the boat through his telescope. "As far as Rear-Admiral Goddard is concerned, I expect we are! Another lieutenant - in his best uniform, too, complete with tarpaulin to keep off the spray. As the fishermen say: 'I think we have a live one here!' "