“Yes, sir. I joined the captain and together we went into captivity.”

The admiral swung round in his chair and peered at Okes, who until now had remained almost silent. “Your part in this business seems to have kept you very busy, Mr Okes?

The lieutenant looked up startled. “Er, yes, sir. I did what I had to do. There was no other way!”

Sir Robert sipped his wine and eyed him coolly. “For an officer who has gained nothing but glory you sound remarkably guarded, Mr Okes. A modicum of modesty is welcome these days, but not when it sounds remarkably like guilt!” For a second longer he held Okes’s pale face with his cold eyes, and then he laughed. It was a humourless sound, but it helped to break the sudden and unhappy silence.

“And you, Mr Herrick?” Sir Robert craned round his own captain to stare along the table. “Your exploits at Nevis seem a trifle haphazard? But against that you obtained the result you intended no doubt?”

Herrick gave a broad grin. “Captain Bolitho has already pointed out to me the pitfalls of too much luck, sir!”

“Did he indeed?” The admiral’s eyebrows rose slightly. “I am gratified to hear it.”

And on it went in the same vein. The admiral would question and listen, or when that failed would openly provoke the luckless officer into some excited and unguarded reply.

The loyal toast was called for by the junior officer present. Midshipman Neale, dwarfed on either side by Proby and Ellice, squeaked, “Gentlemen, the King!” and then sank into a blushing silence.

Bolitho noticed that the admiral’s right hand was curled like a claw around his goblet, and when the latter saw him looking at it the admiral snapped petulantly, “Damned rheumatism! Had it for years!”

For a few moments Bolitho took time to appreciate the man sitting by his side. Not the admiral, with all his petty foibles, his unfair uses of privilege and rank, but the actual man.

He was old, probably in his sixties, and to Bolitho’s knowledge had not set foot ashore for more than a few days at a time in the last ten years. He had shifted his flag from ship to ship, dealing with problems and strategy which Bolitho could only half imagine.

The admiral was looking at him unwinkingly. “Are you still wondering why I came, Bolitho?” He did not wait for an answer. “I commanded a frigate myself many years ago. The happiest time in the Navy for me. Life was easier in many ways then. But the stakes were not so high.” The shutter dropped again. “I came because I wanted to see what you have made of this ship.” He tugged at his chin as if to seek some way of avoiding a compliment. “What I find does not displease me entirely.” He dropped his voice, so that it was almost lost in the newly awakened conversation around the table. “Most of your officers appear to have great respect for you. I know from experience that it is very hard to come by!”