The Scent of Betrayal (18 page)

There were
longueurs
, when the conversation lapsed into Spanish or simply became bogged down in the subject of most interest to their hosts. James, typically, was examining each man in turn, looking for that key to their personality which, transferred to canvas, turned a mediocre portrait into a good one. Harry fretted, gnawing at what had happened in the last two days, searching for ways to have avoided this predicament. Sometimes conversation ground to an embarrassing halt, usually when San Lucar de Barrameda chose to take part. Fernandez had the misfortune to be next to the Captain of the
Navarro
, a position, judging by the look on his doleful face, that required great forbearance.

‘Am I mistaken, Señores,’ said de Coburrabias, ‘or have Captain Fernandez’s moustaches grown longer? It takes great ability to bore mere hair so much that it tries to depart its host’s body.’

It wasn’t certain that San Lucar de Barrameda heard the remark, but he turned to de Coburrabias and started to harangue him in Spanish. The only thing the Ludlows understood was that he’d returned to the subject of the French colonists. De Carondelet spoke sharply to him, which modified his tone. Then, after aiming one more curse in the direction of the settlers, he started to tell them a long and bloody tale about a recent slave revolt, in which he’d been personally involved. This it seemed had been put down with a degree of savagery he clearly relished.

For once, he and de Coburrabias were in agreement. The soldier, having listened to how they’d discovered the revolt, cut in to tell the brothers how it had been concluded.

‘We put a stop to it, and warned anybody else contemplating revolt, by hanging all the perpetrators at various landing stages along the Mississippi River. One per post to be left till their bodies rot. The ringleader hangs, at this very moment, outside my northern headquarters at the Manchac Post.’

‘It does not occur to you, Captain,’ said Harry, ‘that if you chain a man up, he will always seek a way to be free?’

Fernandez nodded. But the other four Spaniards, whose faces had held expressions of approval, looked shocked. De Barrameda, as usual wrapped up in his own thoughts, failed to see the connection between Harry’s ship and the slaves.

‘They lack the will and the means,’ he barked. ‘Nor do they have the wit to organise such a thing. They were inspired by the Americans, of course. We had to expel several of them for complicity.’

‘You might ask, why would Americans do such a thing?’ added de Carondelet. ‘Ask what have they got to gain by causing trouble here? It is particularly galling that this took place after our government had given them 25 years’ free navigation of the river.’

San Lucar de Barrameda again snorted derisively. ‘It is a clear demonstration, Don Francisco, that giving concessions to such people only leads to more trouble. We should have gone the whole way and hanged the Americans as well. Those fools in Madrid don’t know anything.’

That made de Carondelet go pale. The three magistrates looked at the table, as if not wishing to be seen to take sides. The two soldiers had such blank expressions on their faces that they could only be deliberate. The civilians’ heads went even lower as the Governor replied in an icy tone, still speaking French to add insult to the injury he wished to inflict.

‘I will take care to include such a sentiment in my next despatch home, Don Felipe. I’m sure the King, not to mention the Prince of the Peace, will be most interested.’

De Carondelet had delivered the words with a smile. But no one at the table saw it as anything other than a threat. It mattered
little, since it was wasted on the hidalgo officer. ‘I am quite capable of making my own views known in Madrid, thank you.’

Ignacio de Lovio, who’d hitherto said little, coughed suddenly. Having been introduced first he was clearly the senior member of the civilian trio. His piglike eyes had opened wide and his fat face held a shocked expression. A jerk of the head in the direction of the Ludlows was designed to remind the others that they were close to quarrelling in public, as though such a thing had not already happened a dozen times. Being junior to the Governor, he couldn’t actually say anything. But whatever undercurrents lay below the surface of the conversation, his action had an effect on de Carondelet.

‘I think, gentlemen, that you could leave us now. And you, Captain Fernandez.’

All four stood up at once. With polite bows they left the table and the room. The Governor watched them depart, waited till the doors closed behind them, then spun round to face the brothers, his face bright red from a combination of the heat and the wine he’d consumed, those huge blue eyes bulging with keen anticipation.

‘
TELL ME,
Captain Ludlow. How did you know that those ingots were hidden in the sugar boxes?’

Harry toyed with the idea of not answering. But partly through vanity, and more for the sake of the treasure, he did so.

‘Because they were all opened. Those that hadn’t been tipped out completely had a similar amount of the contents removed. That indicated that one or all of them had contained something hidden. Of course, I didn’t know at the time what it was.’

‘Were any other bales or casks opened?’

‘Not that I could see, although some cotton and tobacco had been disturbed and floated to the surface as the ship sank.’

De Carondelet looked at him keenly. Harry waited to see if he would admit the obvious fact that someone who knew they were there had either removed them personally or passed the information to a third party. He waited in vain, but having the patience of Job when necessary he knew that he could return to that point at any time. Not so James.

‘My brother asked you before who knew of the existence of the ingots, Barón, but you declined to answer.’

‘And I still do, Señor Ludlow.’

Harry smiled. ‘Which can mean only one of two things: that you asked the members of your
Cabildo
to depart because they knew, and are therefore suspects. I’m curious if that also applies to Captain Fernandez. Certainly you knew, and I suspect so did Don Felipe and Don Cayetano.’

De Carondelet held up his hands to silence his two officers, and at the same time fought to ensure his expression didn’t register
any emotion. But Harry took some pleasure from the way he’d surprised them. The thought had occured to him during the meal, simply because there was no other reason for those people to be present. De Carondelet might try to make it look like a purely social gathering, but it was nothing of the sort. Harry wondered if perhaps he’d expected someone, confronted with the men who found the
Gauchos
, to make a slip of the tongue and incriminate himself. If so it was a forlorn hope.

‘That is a deduction that you are at liberty to make, Captain Ludlow. It is not one I will either confirm or deny. I’m more interested in what led you to deduce that Rodrigo knew nothing of the cargo he was carrying?’

‘Why conceal it, Barón?’

‘There could be any number of reasons,’ said de Carondelet.

‘True. But there are other indicators.’

‘Which are?’

‘Did you know that Captain Rodrigo was carrying not only his wife, but another passenger?’

‘Why is that significant?’ asked de Carondelet.

‘If he knew about the gold and silver he was carrying, you would have been concerned that any passengers were not a risk.’ Harry looked at San Lucar de Barrameda. ‘When we first met the
Navarro
, Captain, you were clearly upset by the loss. You claimed Rodrigo as a friend but you made no mention of the likelihood of the
Gauchos
carrying anyone else.’

The tall Spaniard, too intrigued to be rude, nodded.

‘And you, Barón, likewise. Nor did you mention the crew. That was another group of people who would have been carefully chosen if the cargo was known. Your sole concern was the gold. Even the most hard-hearted soul, if only for the sake of politeness, would not fail to ask a solicitous question regarding such people.’

‘Does your reluctance to answer questions, Barón, extend to the reasons why the cargo was hidden?’ asked James.

‘I should have thought, Señores, that was obvious.’

‘Quite the reverse, sir,’ said Harry. ‘You must know that the
dream of every sailor, of every other navy in the world, is the taking of a Spanish plate ship.’

That startled all three of their hosts, since though it was certainly true it was exceedingly rude to speak of it in such terms. Harry’s voice grew harsher as he continued. Partly to drive his point home, he was also incensed that these men, who’d blatantly stolen his property, could react as if the sin of greed was an alien concept.

‘And one thing every midshipman learns on joining King George’s navy is this: that no gold or silver is shipped out of the Americas unless it goes in a powerful armed convoy, its loading personally supervised by the Viceroy of Mexico. He knows, even if the day is a secret, at what time of year it departs from one of the ports of the Spanish Main. He is told, while still of tender years, that this is an edict that goes back to the heirs of Ferdinand and Isabella. It is, in short, a royal command that no Spanish official dare break.’

De Carondelet shifted the subject so abruptly that he caught everyone else out. It took them some moments to catch up with him.

‘When you came to see me this morning I was in a state of agitation. If that manifested itself in any way unpleasant to you, I apologise. I admit I was even more abrupt when you enquired about the cargo loaded aboard the
Gauchos
.’

‘No more abrupt than you were a moment ago,’ said James.

‘I am not prepared to be interrogated by anyone. I am the Governor in New Orleans.’

‘That must be exceeding uncomfortable, sir, if what we witnessed on the way here is an indication of how you are perceived.’

The Barón swallowed hard. Clearly James had got under his skin.

‘And really, Excellency, we would rather discuss the fate of our money than of yours.’

‘Even if what that ship carried was germane to the entire security of the Louisiana Territory?’

‘What has that got to do with us?’ asked Harry, brusquely.

De Carondelet continued as if Harry hadn’t spoken, which made him wonder if he was listening to a prepared speech.

‘With the safety of this colony at stake, I will not debate with you why it was so dispatched. But I will say that I cannot describe its loss as anything other than a disaster.’

‘How very sorry we are,’ James replied, without the least trace of sympathy in his voice.

San Lucar de Barrameda cut in, his lips set in a smirk.

‘It was bullion, Señores. Surely you appreciate, as well as we must, the shortage of such a valuable commodity in this part of the world. Indeed we have been forced to—’

De Carondelet cut across him abruptly. ‘Please stick to what is important, Captain.’

‘We are quite prepared to commiserate with you, Barón,’ Harry replied, ignoring what should have been San Lucar de Barrameda’s discomfort at the way he’d been slapped down. He was about to go on to say he knew what was coming; that any idea of his providing a loan was out of the question, even if he couldn’t actually say that the money de Carondelet had taken was the property of his passengers, but he stopped when he saw the look on de Barrameda’s face. It was one of evident pleasure, which increased perceptibly as he spoke.

‘Of course, Excellency. It is so important that the Barón finds it necessary to sequester the contents of your treasure chest.’

‘That is theft, Captain,’ said Harry coldly. He turned to Le Carondelet. ‘And one you may live to regret.’

‘Do not threaten his Excellency, Señor,’ snapped San Lucar de Barrameda, ‘or you will lose more than your money.’

‘You may very well lose New Orleans, Captain, when this larceny becomes known in London.’

‘A valid point, Captain Ludlow,’ said de Coburrabias.

Harry shot him a glance, wondering if he was trying to distance himself from this decision. He didn’t get much time for thought as de Carondelet cut in.

‘I can understand that you do not welcome this decision. And
the shock of what has just been said has caused you to let your tongue run loose. So, I will let your accusation that I am a thief pass. I take no offence, and neither will anyone else on my behalf.’

‘I’d be interested to know by what other name you call your proposal,’ said James.

‘With respect, Señor, you did not hear properly what the good Captain said. He used the word sequester. Even that makes me uncomfortable, but I have a problem that presents no other solution. It is necessity that forces me to this. I have the safety of my King’s possessions to protect, therefore I must act to do so. But I fully intend that you should be reimbursed, in full, for any sum of money we take from you.’

‘How?’

Both brothers had spoken simultaneously, and for a moment de Carondelet didn’t know who to respond to. He ended up looking at the table, rather than the penetrating stares of the Ludlows. ‘The first thing I shall do is allow your French passengers to land in New Orleans. They may settle here or go upriver as they wish. As to the money, I can give you a draft on the Spanish treasury for the appropriate sum.’

‘And would that include your regrets, Barón?’

‘Why should it, Captain? Are you implying that my sovereign would not meet my obligations?’

The lack of passion in the Governor’s voice was as clear an indication as was needed that he knew, as well as his guests, the problems attendant upon such a course. Certainly his King would not repudiate his request, but it could take twenty years to achieve repayment, with most of the money going to greedy Spanish courtiers, bribed to use their influence on a reluctant and often barren exchequer.

‘I cannot say that your proposal appeals to us.’

De Fajardo de Coburrabias, who’d been silent, rejoined the conversation. ‘There is one other method by which His Excellency could repay you. One perhaps that would be more speedy and more certain.’

‘And what is that?’ demanded Harry, suspiciously.

It was de Carondelet who replied, ‘Your brother referred to your skill at the art of investigation, Captain Ludlow. And I must say that tonight you have proved his assertion. I was impressed with the way that you extracted conclusions from such scant information as that which you found aboard the
Gauchos
.’

De Carondelet paused, his huge blue eyes boring into Harry’s.

‘I thought perhaps you might be tempted to recover the gold and silver I lost, and in the process bring to book the murderer of Captain Rodrigo. I do assure you, should you find it you may take it as payment for what which I’m forced to borrow from you.’

The silence that followed lasted a long time. James said nothing, knowing that it was Harry’s place to propose any response. In his mind he was wondering if all those things his brother had ordered before they left, the explosives and bottles full of turpentine, were about to be put into use.

‘What about me, my ship, and my crew?’

‘You are free to depart from New Orleans, Captain,’ de Carondelet replied. ‘That is, if you wish to accept my offer of a draft on the Spanish treasury.’

‘And if not?’

‘Then I require your parole.’

‘Just mine?’

San Lucar de Barrameda gave a wolfish grin, but it was de Coburrabias who replied.

‘It gives me no pleasure to say this, Captain Ludlow, but it would, of necessity, apply to everyone aboard your ship.’

‘What sort of parole?’ asked Harry.

‘That you undertake no action without my express agreement,’ said de Carondelet. ‘That you do nothing on our soil that will harm either the Spanish crown or the Colony of Louisiana.’

‘And what if that parole clashes with my need to find your ingots? The two may be incompatible.’

‘I cannot see how,’ said de Barrameda.

‘Then you are, as I suspected from our very first meeting, a fool, Señor.’

De Coburrabias couldn’t help himself. He burst out laughing. De Barrameda had gone pale, his thin lips compressed so hard that his thin moustaches seemed to join as one, and de Carondelet had dropped his head, clearly not wishing to make eye contact with anyone. James had no need for such restraint.

‘Well said, Harry! And about time.’

‘It is perfectly obvious to even the dimmest creature,’ Harry continued, ‘that only those who knew where the bullion was stored, and which ship it was on, could have had a hand in stealing it. If you want my parole, Barón, then I require something from you in return, and that is a complete list of everyone who knew those secrets.’

‘No!’ snapped San Lucar de Barrameda.

‘It will do no harm, Don Francisco,’ said de Fajardo de Coburrabias. ‘And Captain Ludlow can hardly make any progress himself without such information.’

‘Am I right in assuming that you knew?’ Harry asked the soldier.

‘I did. In fact I was present at the moment Captain de Geurin placed the ingots in the casks. Immediately after that I left for Havana to collect my replacements.’

Harry looked keenly at de Barrameda, but without eliciting any response, so he turned back to de Carondelet. ‘Was I correct about the members of your
Cabildo
?’

‘I cannot have such upright men under suspicion,’ he replied evasively.

‘That pirate you captured, Charpentier. Would I be allowed to question him?’

‘Why?’ demanded de Barrameda.

‘He is naturally a suspect, is he not?’ asked James.

‘The pirates never got out of Barataria Bay, that I can assure you.’

‘Nevertheless, he will know of the location of his ships,’ said Harry, ‘since the one fact which is absolute is this: that whoever made that rendezvous with the
Gauchos
did so in some kind of vessel.’

De Barrameda’s voice rose till it was close to a shout. ‘It was not a pirate!’

‘Perhaps it was a galley of some sort.’

‘It is not something I wish to decide on the spur of the moment,’ said de Carondelet, quickly. ‘I will let you know within twenty-four hours.’

‘And until then?’ demanded de Barrameda, still smarting from what had been said.

‘Until then,’ said Harry, coldly, ‘you have my assurance that I will do nothing to embarrass you.’

‘Oh, I think you’ve done quite enough of that already, Captain,’ replied de Coburrabias gaily.

De Carondelet slapped the table with the flat of his hand. ‘Enough!’

‘Will twenty-four hours give you the time you need?’ asked Harry, not in the least cowed by the Governor’s sudden display of temper.

‘What?’

‘My brother is wondering whether that is sufficient for you to carry out your own investigations,’ said James. ‘There is also the question of what happens if you’re successful, sir.’