Patrick O'Brian - Post captain

He closed his book, rang the bell, and said, ‘Young gentlewoman, be so good as to call me a hackney-​coach.’ And to the coachman. ‘The Horseguards’ Parade.’

Here he paid the man, watched him drive off, and after a turn or two he walked quickly to a small green door that led to the back of the Admiralty.

There was lather still on Sir Joseph’s pink jowls as he hurried in and begged Stephen to sit by the fire, to look at the paper, to make himself comfortable - victuals would be up directly - he would not be a moment. ‘We have been most anxious for you, Dr Maturin,’ he said, coming back, neat and trim. ‘Mendoza was taken at Hendaye.’

‘He had nothing on him,’ said Stephen, ‘and the only knowledge he could betray is already useless. Spain is coming into the war.’

‘Ah,’ said Sir Joseph, putting down his cup and looking at him very hard. ‘It is a firm commitment?’

‘It is. They are wholly engaged. That is why I ventured to call so late last night.’

‘How I wish I had been here! How I cursed Windsor when the messenger met us just this side of Staines. I knew it must be something of the very first importance: the First Lord said the same.’

Stephen took his short statement from his pocket and said, ‘An armament is fitting out in Ferrol, the ships of the San Ildefonso treaty: here is a list of the vessels. Those marked with a cross are ready for sea with six months’ stores aboard These are the Spanish regiments stationed in and about the port, with an appreciation of their commanding officers: I do not place great reliance upon the remarks in the case of those names that are followed by a mark of interrogation. These are the French regiments actually upon the march ‘He passed the sheet.

‘Perfectly, perfectly,’ said Sir Joseph, looking at it greedily - he loved a tabulated list, numbers, factual intelligence, rather than the usual vague impressions and hearsay. ‘Perfect. This corresponds very closely to what we have from Admiral Cochrane.’

‘Yes,’ said Stephen. ‘A little too perfect, maybe. Mendoza was an intelligent agent, but he was a paid agent, a professional. I do not vouch for it personally, although I think it highly probable. But what I do vouch for, and what induced me to reach you at the earliest possible moment, is the programme that has been settled between Paris and Madrid. Madrid has been under increasing pressure since July, as you know: now Godoy has yielded, but he refuses to declare until the treasure-​ships reach Cadiz from Monte Video. Without this vast amount of specie Spain is very nearly bankrupt. The ships in question are frigates of the Spanish navy: the Medea, of forty guns, and the Fama, Clara, and Mercedes, all of 34. The Fama is said to be an uncommon swift sailer; the others are well spoken of. The squadron is commanded by Rear-​Admiral don José Bustamente, a capable and determined officer. The total value of the specie embarked at Monte Video was five million, eight hundred and ten thousand pieces of eight. These ships are expected in Cadiz early in October, and once the news that the treasure is landed has reached Madrid, we are to expect a declaration of war, the Sarastro incident being the casus belli. Without this treasure Madrid will be so embarrassed that a rising in Catalonia, supported by the vessels now off Toulon, would have every likelihood of success.’

‘Dr Maturin,’ cried Sir Joseph, shaking his hand, ‘we are infinitely obliged to you. It had to come, sooner or later, as we all knew - but to have the very moment, or something close to it . . . ! There is still time to act. I must tell Lord Melville at once: he will certainly wish to see you. Mr Pitt must know immediately - oh, how I curse that Windsor visit - forgive me a moment.’ He ran out of the room. Stephen at once took Sir Joseph’s untasted coffee and poured it into his own cup.

He was drinking it still when Sir Joseph came back, discouraged. ‘He is at that wretched inquiry: he will not be free for some hours, and every minute counts. However, I have sent a note . . . we must act at once. It is a cabinet decision, of course; but I have no doubt that we must act at once. God send the wind stays fair: the time is very short.’

‘You intend a decisive action, I take it?’

‘Certainly. I cannot answer for the cabinet, but if my advice is attended to, the bold stroke is the only one. Is it the morality of the thing that you refer to?’ he asked with a smile.

‘The morality of the thing is not my concern,’ said Stephen. ‘I present the state of fact, with the observation that action would greatly increase the chance of Catalan success. Tell me, how does the inquiry go?’

‘Badly, very badly. You and I know that Lord M’s hands are tied: he cannot in honour account for the secret funds, and his enemies, some of whom know this as well as we do, are taking full advantage of the situation. I must not say more, because I am an official.’ He was indeed an official, a permanent official, one of the most powerful in the Admiralty; and every First Lord except St Vincent had followed his advice. He was also something of an entomologist, and when, after a pause, he said, ‘What news from the other world, Dr Maturin?’ Stephen recollected himself, felt in his bosom, and replied, ‘Great news, sir. Bless me, I was so hurried I had almost forgot. The ingenious priest of Sant Marti found her, or him, or them, this summer. A little crushed, a little spoilt by the rain, but still recognizable.’ Between the pages of his opened pocket-​book lay a depressed Clouded Yellow, a genetic freak with both its starboard wings bright green, the others gold.

‘A true gynandromorph!’ cried Sir Joseph, bending over the creature. ‘I have never see one in my life before. Perfectly male the one side, perfectly female the other. I am amazed, sir, amazed. This is almost as astonishing as your news.’

Butterflies, moths, the dubious privilege of having two sexes at once, and an aged clerk came in, whispered in Sir Joseph’s ear, and tiptoed out.

‘We shall know in half an hour or so. Dr Maturin, let me ring for some more coffee; it has gone down strangely.’

‘If you please. Now, Sir Joseph, may I speak to you in an unofficial or at the most a semi-​official way, about a naval friend of mine, in whom I am particularly interested?’

‘By all means. Pray do.’

‘I refer to Captain Aubrey. Captain John Aubrey.’

‘Lucky Jack Aubrey? Yes, yes: he cut out the Fanciulla

- a very creditable little action. But you know that perfectly well, of course - you were there!’

‘What I should like to ask is, whether he has good prospects of employment.’

‘Well,’ said Sir Joseph, leaning back and considering. ‘Well. I do not have a great deal to do with patronage or appointments: that is not my department. But I do know that Lord Melville has a regard for him, and that he intended to advance his interests in time; possibly in the command of a vessel now on the stocks. His recent promotion, however, was intended as a full reward for his past services; and perhaps he would be well advised to expect nothing but the occasional acting, temporary command for some considerable period. The pressure on patronage is very great, as you know. Then again, I am afraid it is all too likely that Lord M may have left us before the proposed command can, shall I say, eventuate; his successor may have other views; and if this is so, your friend’s chances are - well. . . ‘He waved his hand. ‘There are, I believe, a certain number of objections to set against his brilliant services: and he is unfortunate in his choice of a father. Are you acquainted with General Aubrey, my dear sir?’

‘I have met the gentleman. He did not strike me as being very wise.’