He remembered the conversation between Captain Peters and the admiral, and General Wolfe's words: "I should say, keep as careless a watch over him as possible," and he determined, if possible, to aid him in making his escape, confident that, in the general exultation at the success of the enterprise, no one would trouble greatly about the matter, and that the admiral would be only too pleased that an inquiry should be avoided, which could but end in the disgrace and execution of a naval officer.
James was relieved when, on his arrival, he found that Richard Horton was still in confinement, for he feared that he might have carried out the other alternative spoken of by the admiral, and might have committed suicide.
"Captain Peters," he said, going up to that officer, "I should be obliged if you would give me an order to see Lieutenant Horton." "Can't do it, my lad.

The admiral's orders are precise.

Nobody is to be admitted to see him, without an order signed by himself." James accordingly sought the admiral's cabin.
"What do you want to see him for, eh ?" the admiral asked.
James hesitated.

He would not tell an untruth in the matter, and yet he could think of no excuse which could answer, without doing so.
"I want to see him, sir, to have some conversation with him." "Ah!" the admiral said, looking at him keenly.

"Conversation, eh! You are not going to take him a pistol, or poison, or anything of that sort, to help him to put an end to his wretched existence ?" "No, indeed, sir," James said warmly.
"Humph! You are not thinking, I hope," he said, with a twinkle of the eye, "of helping him to escape ?" James was silent.
"Well, well," the admiral said hastily, "that's not a fair question to ask.