"Oh! I know every inch of the place of old," laughed Hawke, still
with his hands on his revolvers.
"Well, Major," said Jack, pouring out a cognac, "I'll take, first,
five hundred pounds cash for the information. Another five hundred
for the job, with a quarter of what we get. And this second sum
you can put up with Etienne Garcin. You can pay him now the two
hundred for the men and the boat, out of that, and give me the
rest of the odd change later. We'll never lose sight of each other
after we start. For the Hirondelle will not leave me in the lurch.
I've sworn never to wear the widow's jewelry again." Jack Blunt's
eyes were devilish in their glare.
"So, it's five hundred pounds down now, and I can order the expedition
on, after the payment. You'll give me on the instant all the news
from Mattie Jones of the intended return, for I propose to have
some fun with the Professor."
"Honor bright," said Jack forcibly. "For we will all hang or 'go
to quod' together, if there's a break once that we begin. We had
better start when I get her next letter, for Mattie is to write me
to the Jersey Arms and then telegraph there, too, from Southampton.
I'll have one of the crew pipe them off from the pier home to the
Tolly, and a half dozen of the boys will be in hiding, ready for
work. So you can work your scheme as you will."
"It's a go, then. Come on, now, and get your money," said Hawke,
as he led the way to the nearest fiacre.
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