erous a charge.

"Damme!" snapped Willoughby, "Should I offer it unless I were satisfied
of your capacity? If that's your only objection...."

"It is not, my lord. I had counted upon going home, so I had. I am
hungry for the green lanes of England." He sighed. "There will be
apple-blossoms in the orchards of Somerset."

"Apple-blossoms!" His lordship's voice shot up like a rocket, and
cracked on the word. "What the devil...? Apple-blossoms!" He looked at
van der Kuylen.

The Admiral raised his brows and pursed his heavy lips. His eyes
twinkled humourously in his great face.

"So!" he said. "Fery boedical!"

My lord wheeled fiercely upon Captain Blood. "You've a past score to
wipe out, my man!" he admonished him. "You've done something towards it,
I confess; and you've shown your quality in doing it. That's why I offer
you the governorship of Jamaica in His Majesty's name--because I account
you the fittest man for the office that I have seen."

Blood bowed low. "Your lordship is very good. But...."

"Tchah! There's no 'but' to it. If you want your past forgotten, and
your future assured, this is your chance. And you are not to treat it
lightly on account of apple-blossoms or any other damned sentimental
nonsense. Your duty lies here, at least for as long as the war lasts.
When the war's over, you may get back to Somerset and cider or your
native Ireland and its potheen; but until then you'll make the best of
Jamaica and rum."

Van der Kuylen exploded into laughter. But from Blood the pleasantry
elicited no smile. He remained solemn to the point of glumness. His
thoughts were on Miss Bishop, who was somewhere here in this very house
in which they stood, but whom he had not seen since his arrival. Had she
but shown him some compassion....

And then the rasping voice of Willoughby cut in again, upbraiding him
for his hesitation, pointing out to him his incredible stupidity in
trifling with such a golden opportunity as this. He stiffened and bowed.

"My lord, you are in the right. I am a fool. But don't be accounting
me an ingrate as well. If I have hesitated, it is because there are
considerations with which I will not trouble your lordship."

"Apple-blossoms, I suppose?" sniffed his lordship.

This time Blood laughed, but there was still a lingering wistfulness in
his eyes.

"It shall be as you wish--and very gratefully, let me assure your
lordship. I shall know how to earn His Majesty's approbation. You m