Читать книгу Arnold's Tempter - Benjamin F. Comfort - Страница 11

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The FitzMaurice dinner and the reception at Dorminghurst were revelations to Roderick Barclugh. He learned that Arnold had a passion for luxury and no discretion as to its cost; then he became convinced that the lawyers and clergy and merchants feared a democratic form of government.

Roderick Barclugh was possessed of wonderful resources to accomplish his ends. The next morning very early he sent his clerk for Captain Samuel Risk of the Privateer Holker, in which ship he held the controlling interest. Arnold’s cupidity must be tried at once.

As Captain Risk came into Barclugh’s private office, the first sound that greeted his ears was:

“Good morning, Captain Risk, can you depend on your crew to transfer two thousand barrels of flour to a neutral ship flying the ensign of Holland in a convenient harbor off Long Island? There’s $20,000 to be divided up in it.”

“Yes, sir, I can do it. State your necessities in the case. What will be the ship’s share?” was the prompt answer of the intrepid Captain.

“From private advices, a merchant in New York wants the flour for his account. I need a passport to get to New York to have the money advanced and the business concluded. Arnold needs money and his share in the transaction will be $3000, the ship’s share $10,000 and protection from capture guaranteed. See Arnold at once, and here is $500 to advance him for his promise to deliver the passport.”

“Agreed, Mr. Barclugh, and I’ll have that vainglorious upstart tied up in this business within an hour. I shall return here at once with the prize,” was the reply of the gingery, little, red-faced Captain as he went out the door on his mission.

Barclugh turned to his clerk in the compting-room and sent him to engage two thousand barrels of flour for export on the Brigantine Holker from Milling & FitzMaurice, who now held merchandise for the account of Roderick Barclugh in large sums—the result of successful privateering cruises. But as a matter of fact the flour shipment was merely a cloak to carry on a deeper scheme. Barclugh had constant communication with Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander, but he needed a safe passport for himself to New York and return in order to explain the details of his plot to ensnare Arnold with British gold. He must go in person to the British Commander-in-Chief for the matter was of such delicate and intricate nature that there must be no mishaps.

The flour transaction would simply pay the expenses of the enterprise, because the difference in the price of flour between New York and Philadelphia was twelve dollars a barrel, and the supply was very short at the former place.

While Barclugh was revolving these problems in his mind, Captain Risk returned and stated in his straightforward manner:

“The shark is securely hooked, and is desperately in need of money. That young and gay wife of his is an expensive luxury. He has promised the passport, taken the $500 and wants $500 more.”

“That is too much to advance. He will have to wait for the balance till your return. The $3000 promised him will lead him on to new hopes in extravagance and he will be eager for more when he gets his full share. Ha, ha! so he took the gold eagerly, did he? Prosperity intoxicates him. He has desperate courage, and cares not for consequences to himself,—nor to others. He is capable of as much evil as good to his cause. Let’s see, Captain, I’ll have the name for the passport ready to-morrow. You may get your ship ready and load on the flour; for, if the trade falls through, you can slip down to Havana with your cargo.”

“That’s well, Mr. Barclugh, I’ll have my crew shipped and the cargo loaded and be lying in the stream awaiting your orders inside the week.”

“Very well, Captain, if you should go to Havana you will bring home one of those West Indian fellows and then you will be able to retire and buy an estate,” was the mirthful turn of Barclugh’s planning.

“Ay, ay, sir. Then when I’m land-sick I can sell a farm and go to sea. What a luxury that would be! But I was never born to be a land-lubber, sir. Good day, I’ll get the passport to-morrow.”

“Good day, Captain,” said Barclugh, as he followed the skipper to the door.

“We must use Arnold for our business,” rang in the ears of Captain Risk from Barclugh, while he walked jauntily off to go aboard his ship.