And so he dismissed De Chesne with
messages of gratitude but refusal to his master, and sent for
Captain King. Together they considered all that the secretary had
stated, and King agreed with De Chesne's implied opinion that it
was Sir Lewis himself who held the warrant.
They sent for him at once, and Ralegh straightly taxed him with
it. Sir Lewis as straightly admitted it, and when King thereupon
charged him with deceit he showed no anger, but only the
profoundest grief. He sank into a chair, and took his head in his
hands.
"What could I do? What could I do?" he cried. "The warrant came
in the very moment we were setting out. At first I thought of
telling you; and then I bethought me that to do so would be but
to trouble your mind, without being able to offer you help."
Sir Walter understood what was implied. "Did you not say," he
asked, "that you were my kinsman first and Vice-Admiral of Devon
after?"
"Ay--and so I am. Though I must lose my office of Vice-Admiral,
which has cost me six hundred pounds, if I suffer you to escape,
I'd never hesitate if it were not for Manourie, who watches me as
closely as he watches you, and would baulk us at the last. And
that is why I have held my peace on the score of this warrant.
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