haven there under the
shadow of his own Manor of Arwenack. He represents himself as nobly
disinterested and all concerned for the prosperity of the country, and
he neglects to mention that the land is his own and that it is his own
prosperity and that of his family which he is concerned to foster.
We met in London by a fortunate chance whilst Sir John was about this
business at the Court. Now it happens that I, too, have interests in
Truro and Penryn; but, unlike Sir John, I am honest in the matter, and
proclaim it. If any growth should take place about Smithick it follows
from its more advantageous situation that Truro and Penryn must suffer,
and that suits me as little as the other matter would suit Sir John. I
told him so, for I can be blunt, and I told the Queen in the form of a
counter-petition to Sir John's." He shrugged. "The moment was
propitious to me. I was one of the seamen who had helped to conquer the
unconquerable Armada of King Philip. I was therefore not to be denied,
and Sir John was sent home as empty-handed as he went to Court. D'ye
marvel that he hates me? Knowing him for what he is, d'ye marvel that
he dubs me pirate and worse? 'Tis natural enough so to misrepresent my
doings upon the sea, since it is those doings have afforded me the
power to hurt his profit. He has chosen the weapons of calumny for this
combat, but those weapons are not mine, as I shall show him this very
day. If you do not credit what I say, come with me and be present at the
little talk I hope to have with that curmudgeon."

"You forget," said Master Godolphin, "that I, too, have interests in the
neighbourhood of Smithick, and that you are hurting those."

"Soho!" crowed Sir Oliver. "Now at last the sun of truth peeps forth
from all this cloud of righteous indignation at my bad Tressilian blood
and pirate's ways! You, too, are but a trafficker. Now see what a fool I
am to have believed you sincere, and to have stood here in talk with
you as with an honest man." His voice swelled and his lip curled in a
contempt that struck the other like a blow. "I swear I had not wasted
breath with you had I known you for so mean and pitiful a fellow."

"These words...." began Master Godolphin, drawing himself up very
stiffly.

"Are a deal less than your deserts," cut in the other, and he raised his
voice to call--"Nick."

"You shall answer to them," snapped his visitor.

"I am answering now," was the stern answer. "To come here and prate