He added, “My cox’n did discover from Witrand’s servant that he has done some work in the past arranging for quartering of troops, siting artillery and so forth. I believe he is a man of some authority.”

Broughton gave a faint smile. “Sir Hugo’s twin in the enemy camp, eh?”

“Yes, sir.”

“In which case time might be shorter than I feared.”

Bolitho nodded. “We were told of ships gathering at Cartagena. It is only one hundred and twenty miles from Djafou, sir.”

The admiral stood up. “You are advising me to attack without waiting for the bombs?”

“I cannot see any choice, sir.”

“There is always a choice.” Broughton eyed him distantly. “In this case I can decide to return to Gibraltar. If so, then I must carry with me an excellent reason. But if I decide to mount an attack, then that attack must succeed.”

“I know, sir.”

Broughton walked to the quarter windows again. “The Navarra will accompany the squadron. To release her would be spreading the news of our presence and strength with better efficiency than if I wrote Bonaparte a personal invitation. To sink her and scatter her crew and passengers through the squadron might be equally unsettling at a time when we are about to do battle.” He turned and looked at Bolitho searchingly. “How did you fight off the chebecks?”

“I pressed the passengers and crew into the King’s service, sir.”

Broughton pursed his lips. “Furneaux would never have done that, by God. He would have fought bravely, but his head would now be adorning some mosque, I have no doubt.”

He added brusquely, “I will call my captains on board for a conference in one hour. Make a signal accordingly. We will then set sail and use the rest of the day to form the squadron into some order. The wind is nothing to wonder at, but it remains steady from the north-west. It should suffice. You will make it your business to study Draffen’s plan and acquaint yourself with every available detail.”

Bolitho smiled gravely. “You have decided, sir.”

“We may both regret it later.” Broughton did not smile. “Attacking harbours and defended pieces of land is always a chance affair. Show me a set plan of battle, an array of enemy ships, and I will tell you the mind of their commander. But this,” he shrugged disdainfully, “is like putting a ferret to the hole. You never know how the rabbit is going to run, or in which direction.”

Bolitho picked up his hat. “I placed Witrand in custody, sir. He is a clever man and would not hesitate to escape and use his knowledge if he saw a chance. He saved my life in the Navarra, but I’ll not underestimate his other qualities because of that.”

The admiral did not seem to be listening. He was toying with his watch fob and staring absently towards the windows. But as Bolitho walked to the door he said sharply, “If I should fall in battle . . .” He hesitated while Bolitho stood quite still watching him— “and I think it is not unknown for such things to happen— you will of course be in overall command until otherwise ordered. There are certain papers . . .” He seemed to become angry with himself, even impatient, and added, “You will continue to assist Sir Hugo.”