Herrick smiled to himself. Neale seemed to have grown in stature since that dreadful day. He said, “In a few years you’ll be getting promoted like Mr Farquhar if you go on like this.”

Neale considered the suggestion and then replied, “I never doubted it, sir.” He flushed and added quickly. “Well, not often!”

* * *

Sir Robert Napier walked stiffly to a small gilt chair and sat down. For several seconds he stared at Bolitho’s tense features and then said dryly, “You are a very erratic and unpredictable young man, Bolitho.” He tapped his fingertips together. “But there is one thing to be said in your favour. You are never dull!”

Bolitho did not trust himself to smile. It was still far too early to know exactly how his ideas had been received. With fretting impatience he had waited in an adjoining cabin while the admiral read his reports, and after what seemed like an hour he was ushered into the great man’s presence. There were two other captains already present. Cope of the Cassius, and a thickset, unsmiling man Bolitho recognised as Fox of the frigate Volcano.

The admiral said, “It seems to me that you are getting unnecessarily excited about the French frigates which one of your men sighted.” He waved one hand across his big coloured chart. “Look for yourself, Bolitho. The Leeward and Windward Islands are like a broken chain running from north to south. If the French fleet is out in force, and I say if, Sir George Rodney’s frigates will have reported the fact, and both sides will have engaged already. That being so, what further can I do in the matter?” He leaned back, his eyes fixed on Bolitho’s face.

Bolitho glanced quickly at the other officers. Cope, being Sir Robert’s flag-captain, would naturally stay noncommittal until he knew his master’s intentions. Fox was the man to convince. He was said to be a hard man, and as he was somewhat old for his rank, inclined to be over-cautious.

Bolitho took his own chart and laid it carefully across the admiral’s. He started quietly. “The whole plan to contain and engage the French fleet is based on one main theme, sir. We know that de Grasse has his strongest force at Martinique to the south. To meet with his Spanish ally and to reach Jamaica, his first necessity is to avoid any damaging action with us.”

The admiral said irritably, “I know that, dammit!”

Bolitho continued, “I believe that the two frigates were part of a scouting force, ahead of the main fleet.” He ran his finger along the chart. “He could sail north from Martinique, and if necessary deploy his ships amongst the scattered islands en route. Then, at his most suitable moment he could swing west to Jamaica as planned.” He looked at Fox who met his eyes without expression. He added urgently, “Sir George Rodney is depending on a quick engagement, sir. But suppose de Grasse avoids that first contact, or, even worse, he makes a feint attack on our ships and then heads north?” He waited, watching the admiral’s pale eyes moving across the chart.