I have authority, granted me this morning in London."
"Quite so," Sir Henry observed, "but we are in the midst of a very
interesting little discussion which I intend to conclude. Your turn
will come later, Captain Griffiths."
"I can countenance no discussion with such men as that," Griffiths
declared scornfully. "I am here in the execution of my duty, and
I resent any interference with it."
"No one wishes to interfere with you," Sir Henry assured him, "but
until I say the word you will obey my orders."
"So far as I am concerned," Lessingham intervened, "I wish it to be
understood that I offer no defence."
"You have no defence," Sir Henry reminded him suavely. "I gather
that not only had you the effrontery to steal a chart from my pocket
in the midst of a life struggle upon the trawler, but you have
capped this exploit with a deliberate attempt to abduct my wife."
Griffiths seemed for a moment almost beside himself. His eyes
glowed. His long fingers twitched. He kept edging a little nearer
to Lessingham.
"Both charges," the latter confessed, looking Sir Henry in the eyes,
"are true."
Then Philippa found herself. She saw the sudden flash in her
husband's eyes, the grim fury in Griffiths' face. She stepped once
more forward.
"Henry," she insisted, "you must listen to what I have to say.
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