A narrow, pointed face, not unlike that of Verling, but tight-lipped, very contained. The eyes were in shadow.

Proby said, ‘In matters of general seamanship your reports read well. It seems you suffer from an acute dislike of heights, but you have overcome it.’ A hint of a smile. ‘Outwardly, at least. Having taken charge of a landing party with ship’s boats, what cover would you prepare if resistance was expected?’

‘Round shot, if a gun was available, sir. To give time for my people to move into position.’

Proby opened his mouth as if to answer, and frowned as Captain Greville said sharply, ‘Grape or canister would be far more effective, I would have thought.’

‘Later, perhaps, sir. But there is too much risk with either of hitting my own men.’

Greville ruffled the corners of the papers. ‘A few eggs have to be broken sometimes, Bolitho!’

Proby tapped the table.

‘They are people, John, not eggs.’ But he was smiling as he turned to his other side. ‘You have some points on gunnery, Maude? While we touch upon the subject.’ Polite, but strangers.

Maude leaned forward, and Bolitho guessed that he was very tall. It would be a constant handicap below decks in a frigate.

‘In a large ship of the line, a three-decker,’ he lifted his hand, ‘this one, for instance. The order to beat to quarters has just been called, and the ship cleared for action. You are stationed on the lower gun deck and in charge of a division. What precautions will you take?’ The hand gestured again. ‘Consider it.’ He was leaning back in his chair now, his head slightly on one side, as if completely relaxed, and Bolitho felt his own tension slipping away in response. Maude’s voice, or perhaps his manner, seemed to exclude the others, and ease his uncertainty. It was almost like having a conversation with an old friend.

He said, ‘Lower gun deck, thirty-two pounders, “Long Nines”.’ The hand moved very slightly, and he went on, ‘Nine feet long, sir.’ He saw him nod, as if to encourage him. ‘Seven men in each gun crew, the captain responsible for giving a set task to each one and assigning a number to each. The lower the number, the greater the skill.’