Jenour could not contain a grin this time. "Aye, aye, sir! " He almost ran from the quarterdeck.

Bolitho watched the other frigate's great pyramid of sails lifting and plunging over the sparkling water. Maybe it was childish, but he did not care.

"Captain Poland, for convenience's sake, yours is no longer a private ship." He saw doubt alter to understanding on Poland 's tense features. "So please make to Zest, and spell it out with care, The privilege is yours."

Poland turned as Bolitho's flag broke at the foremast truck, and then gestured urgently to the signals party as bunting spilled across the deck in feverish confusion.

Jenour joined Munro as he clambered back to the deck.

"That is what you wanted to know. There is the real man. He'd not stand by and see any of his people slighted! " Not even Poland, he almost added.

Bolitho saw sunlight reflecting from several telescopes on the other frigate. Zest's captain would not know anything about Bolitho's mission, nor would anyone else.

He tightened his jaw and said gently, "Well, they know now."

2. Remember Nelson

"MAY I ASSURE YOU, Sir Richard, that no disrespect was intended…"

Bolitho walked to the cabin stern windows, half listening to the clatter of blocks and the surge of water alongside as Truculent rolled, hove-to in the swell. This would need to be quick. As predicted by Poland 's sailing-master, the wind would soon return. He could not see the other frigate, and guessed that she was standing slightly downwind of her smaller consort.

He turned and sat on the bench seat, gesturing to a chair. "Some coffee, Captain Varian?" He heard Ozzard's quiet footsteps and guessed that the little man was already preparing it. It gave Bolitho time to study his visitor.