Chapter Ten
Admiral Decharles is bored – Mr Caxton’s exasperation – a message – what is the quickest way? – the shipyard – the Iron Duke – a factory in flames – the workers – how could they carry guns?
In his youth, Admiral Lord Decharles had once stood watch for two days straight during a dead calm while on blockade duty off Boulogne. For decades, he had considered it the most excruciatingly boring incident in his life.
That had been before he had met Mr Caxton.
“Of course, the bracing on the Iron Duke is strongest here,” Caxton said, pointing to some part of a plan drawing that looked suspiciously like every other part of the plan drawing.
The Admiral took another sip of strong coffee and wondered if it would help. “Bracing, yes.” He yawned. “Oak or elm?”
For perhaps the twentieth
