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Updated: May 5, 2025
"I asked for you; did LeVere tell you why?" "No sir; only that I was to come at once and quietly." I put my hand on his shoulder. "Tom," I said soberly, but so low I felt sure even Gunsaules would not overhear, "we are in the same boat, and understand each other. The chance has come for both of us, if we play the cards right. Listen while I tell you the situation, and what I plan doing."
"Come here, Gunsaules," I said sternly. "Step lively, lad; there's nothing for you to fear." "Yes, Senor yes," and; he crept forth from his partial cover, glancing fearfully from face to face as he advanced. "Senor Estada has been killed during the night, and we have just captured his murderer," I explained hastily. "There is reason to believe this act was part of a conspiracy to seize the ship."
"Gunsaules," I said, wasting no words, "you are to remain in this cabin until I give the word. The lady here has a pistol, and orders to shoot if you attempt to either enter this passage, or approach the door of Manuel's stateroom." "Yes, Senor," his face like chalk, and his eyes rolling. "How did you find Sanchez?" "Sitting up in his bunk, Senor, and able to eat."
I mark these things for I was once apprenticed to a tailor in Madrid." He stood fondling the garment lovingly, the expression of his face so solemnly interested, I had difficulty in suppressing a laugh. "Some change in your trade, Gunsaules. Did you take this one up from choice? You do not look to me like a fighting man."
So long as they remained unaware of the capture of Manuel there was little danger of their taking such action. My faith in Gunsaules was not great, yet the probability was that he would remain loyal to whichever party held the upper hand. That was ever the way with these men. "Very well, steward," I said. "You go on about your work as though nothing had happened.
The swinging light yet burned, but was now useless, all the dismal horrors of the place revealed by the slowly increasing gleam of day stealing down from above. Gunsaules had not appeared, and LeVere's stateroom door remained ajar, giving glimpse of the disarranged bunk within. The other doors were tightly closed.
Gunsaules had said this was her place of confinement, and there was seemingly no reason why she should have been given a guard. Beyond doubt the girl was within and alone, and I must trust her quick intelligence to respond to my written message. I thrust it through the narrow opening above the sill, and the moment it disappeared within, stole swiftly back to my own room.
Indeed he gave me little time for doubt. "This is your chair, Gates, and you will find we live well aboard the Namur wine, women and song hey, Manuel! Why not, when all are at command? Steward, you told the lady what my orders were?" "Si, Senor." "Then bid her join us." We stood in silence, as Gunsaules crossed the deck, and inserted a key in the afterstateroom door.
He disappeared through the companion, while Gunsaules vanished within the storeroom, where I could hear him rummaging noisily about. I sat down to wait the appearance of Watkins, satisfied that matters were already safely in my control. That the English sailor would cooperate, I had no doubt, and as to LeVere, he had already gone too far to openly play the traitor.
Gunsaules lowered the table, and began preparing the morning meal. He glanced at me each time he passed, but ventured on no questioning, although it was quite evident the fellow was nearly bursting from curiosity. I lit my pipe, endeavoring to appear entirely at ease, as I turned over and over again in mind every detail of the contemplated action.
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