The Baltic Prize

Chapter 47

‘I must object in the strongest possible terms!’ Bray said thickly, as Kydd made ready to board his barge. ‘Only at the word of a damned foreigner!’

‘And my confidential secretary,’ Kydd said mildly. Dillon had done his best to persuade Herr Miske to take boat to the frigate but had been unsuccessful. Consequently Kydd must make the journey to him.

Dillon’s fishing-boat method had served him well and they headed inshore after dark to the restless whispering of marram-grass-covered dunes where they were quickly hidden from view. Shivering, Kydd waited while Dillon checked his little compass and pointed to the left. Following a path, they headed inland, inhaling a pungent fishy odour in contrast to the purer ocean airs.

The path led to a row of fishermen’s huts, sheltered from the sea winds. There was a light in one at the end.

Dillon knocked and, at the peevish enquiry, quietly answered. The door opened on an old man, shrunken with age but with disconcertingly bright eyes that took the measure of Kydd before gesturing him to enter.

A single lamp guttered on a table, leaving the rest of the room in shadows, and a feeble fire spluttered. They were motioned to take the two wicker chairs facing it.

‘Are you sure this is the place?’ Kydd murmured. It was a desolate spot, a faint wind moan giving it a sepulchral cast.

‘Certain, Sir Thomas. Miske specified strictly when and where he would meet you.’

At the table the old man sat unmoving, his beady eyes glittering, watching.

‘Miske’s not a man to be flammed, I believe,’ Dillon continued, rubbing his hands before the fire. ‘A man of presence and sagacity. I’m exercised how you’ll persuade him to this course, so against his commercial instincts.’

‘Admiral Saumarez will not move until he has proof positive that he will so act. Thus it seems I must be persuasive.’

They sat in silence as the minutes passed.

Kydd grew restless. ‘Take a look outside, old fellow, see if he’s waiting somewhere else.’

Dillon rose but the old man made irritated gesticulations to remain seated.

‘I’ll allow the beggar but one bell more, then-’

He broke off and tensed at a scraping sound near the corner. It was an old high-backed chair being turned around by its occupant who’d been out of sight all the time – a diminutive man with the precise air of a watchmaker.

‘Mr Miske!’ Dillon exclaimed. ‘What is the meaning of this?’

With an ingratiating smile, the man pulled the chair closer. ‘Why, Mr Dillon, can you not see? It was my little test – to see what tongue you spoke together privily. Your man is English, then. I’m content at that.’ A small but serviceable pistol made its appearance on the table in front of him.

‘Captain Sir Thomas Kydd.’

‘I’m charmed to meet you, sir. And I’m intrigued what brings you here at no little danger to speak only with me.’

‘Your service to the Crown as consul before the late occupation of Prussia is well remarked, sir. I’m here to determine if you are able to provide a further boon.’

‘Alas, my captain, I’m no longer a consul, being here under an assumed name in the service only of my paltry shipping interests.’

‘Which are in marked decline.’

‘Just so.’

‘Then my proposal will not be without interest to you, sir.’

‘Do go on, Captain.’

‘It is no secret that the British are suffering a reversal in their Baltic trade. I have a plan that has attracted the attention of my admiral. He states that for it to be adopted he requires the assurance from one such as yourself that it is both possible and practical.’

‘You shall tell me more.’

Kydd took a deep breath and detailed his plan.

Miske heard him out politely. At the end he smiled. ‘A pretty plan, Captain. And correct in its particulars with but one exception.’

‘Oh?’

‘You do not give sufficient weight to the venality of the douaniers. They are corrupt to a degree that would put an Oriental despot to the blush, and, to my shame and credit, I’ve been able to take advantage of this on more than one occasion.’

‘Then you know who may be approached.’

‘I do.’

‘And may it be assumed that your brothers in Reval, Wismar and similar should be likewise knowledgeable?’

‘They would.’

‘Therefore this information held in common would be of use to you?’

‘Of incomparable value. Both in the producing of, er, artificial documents and advice to masters on how and with whom they may safely lodge their clearance papers.’

‘Then there is only the one concern that the admiral will need allayed.’

‘And what is that, sir?’ Miske’s features took on an unmistakable gleam of cupidity, held within a mask of calmness.

‘That any or all of you do render up false information in order to confound your competitors.’

‘Ha! The easiest to answer. Should this plan be executed, any who do so will find the information for his port is no longer to be trusted and shipping will no longer come his way. Where are his imports? How then is he to consign his outward goods? For petty commercial gain, this is not to be entertained.’

Kydd gave a broad smile. ‘Then we have a course to steer. How soon might we expect your first news?’

‘As you will – there are quantities of smugglers in these parts acquainted with the private meeting of ships at sea. Shall we say four days hence?’