The Guernseyman
Page 19
“I wonder that Captain Bradshaw was well enough to make this disposition. He was far gone, it seemed, on the day when I took my examination.”
“He had his ups and downs, his good days and his bad days. He was sitting up on the day he sent for me. Yes, he knew his mind that day. I think you must once have done him a kindness.”
“And I suppose the sword was at his bedside and so destroyed by the shot or the falling masonry?”
“No, sir, the sword was in my office and is still there, as good as ever. If you’ll wait a moment, I’ll fetch it. It’s not a fancy sword, mind you, not a presentation sword from the town of Plymouth. Nothing the like of that. But it’s a good useful weapon and he wanted you to have it. Wait here, sir, while I fetch it.”
The chief clerk was gone for a few minutes and Richard had time to look about him. The entrance hall was undamaged but looked rather bleak and shabby. There were oblong patches on the walls, showing where the pictures had hung before they were removed to a place of safety. From the north end of the building came the sound of hammering—repairs had already begun. Then Mr Garston returned, carrying the sword.
“Here it is, sir, and I brought the sword belt as well. The hilt is gold-plated, not brass, and it is little the worse for wear. I kept it wrapped up, you see, in a piece of cloth, and the blade is well greased, without so much as a spot of rust.”
“Thank you, Mr Garston.” Richard took the sword and examined it carefully. It had certainly been well looked after, needing only some polish and leather cream. He drew the blade far enough from the sheath to read the maker’s name: Wilkinson Sword Company. He sheathed it gently again, put on the sword belt and hung the sword in position.
“Funny thing,” said Mr Garston, “the old gentleman was more aware of things that day than the other officers imagined. Anyway, he remembered your examination afterwards and laughed about it. You were asked nothing, he said, about seamanship or navigation. They had decided beforehand that you were to pass.”
“That I am not to know, Mr Garston. But it’s quite true that I was examined in military engineering and siege warfare. Sir Roger was every inch a soldier at that time. He is a seaman again now.”
“The old captain chuckled over that. He had no doubts about your seamanship, having talked with you one time, but the examination, he said, merely proved that you were a soldier. In his day, he said—begging your pardon, sir—they would have failed you for not sticking to your own trade.”
“I’ve no doubt of it, Mr Garston, and what you say serves to remind me that I must return to duty. Thank you for all the trouble you have taken. I am proud to have this sword and will take good care of it.”
Richard took his leave and strode out of the hospital, the sword at his side. He was faintly self-conscious, aware though he was that nobody in the fortress would give him a second glance. More alone in the world than ever, and totally lacking any fortune or interest, he knew himself to be a commissioned officer, a seaman and a gentleman.