"The country is all, sir; the sovereign naught.

King James will pass; others will come and pass; England remains, to be honourably served by her sons, whatever rancour they may hold against the man who rules her in their time." He showed some surprise.

Then he smiled a little.

"Shrewd advocacy," he approved it.

"You should have spoken to the crew." And then, the note of irony deepening in his voice: "Do you suppose now that this honourable service might redeem one who was a pirate and a thief ?" Her glance fell away.