A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1) (11 page)

And so it was that Lieutenants Colin Laing and David Andrews kept the deck and Merriman entertained the other off
icers to a fine meal of roast chicken, salt pork and ship’s biscuit, washed down by an excellent claret provided by Edward St James the marine Lieutenant.  John Jeavons, the first Lieutenant was a serious, fair haired young man who thought carefully before speaking, whereas the marine officer was a lively conversationalist with an affectedly languid manner.  The Surgeon, Alan McBride was slow to join in the chatter at first but after two or three hastily drained glasses, became quite voluble.  Mr. Cuthbert spoke only when directly addressed and the little midshipman   Alfred Shrigley was so overawed and embarrassed in the presence of his superiors that he could only stammer wretchedly when brought into the conversation although Merriman noticed that the midshipman was not holding his appetite in check and was eating everything in front of him even though the others had finished.  Mr. Grahame was also an excellent raconteur and the time passed swiftly and pleasantly.

“
Mr. Shrigley, when you have quite finished gnawing on that bone, it is your place to propose a toast I believe.”

“
Oh Lor’, s-s-sorry Sir, I mean y-y-yes Sir.”  The red-faced youngster groped for his glass, knocked it over, managed to grab it before all the contents were lost and squeaked “The King.”

As the time had not yet come when a sailor king would allow his health to be drunk sitting down, the officers stood stooped awkwardly under the low deck-head.  After the toast was drunk, Merriman motioned to his servant Peters to clear the table.  When
that was done and the door closed again, Merriman turned to the serious part of the evening.

“
Gentlemen, as you have been kept in the dark so far as regards our purpose on this commission, I imagine the ship is alive with rumours about our destination.”

“
There are so many different ideas Sir, that the gunner is running a sweepstake on it,” laughed the surgeon reaching for the claret again.

“
Well then, there may be a winner tonight.  I can tell you that we are staying in home waters, the Irish Sea to be precise, so you can all forget thoughts of warm, sunny weather and tropic seas.  There is increasing trouble in that area with smuggling gangs, indeed some of you may be aware that a gang went so far as to attack a Revenue cutter a few weeks ago.  They murdered all the crew except for a boy who made a lucky escape, and made off with the ship which has not been seen since.”

He paused, looking r
ound the table, then continued “Because of this outrage, the Admiralty has decided that a ship of force is to be stationed there. It is to be part of our duty to patrol round the coasts of the Kingdom bordering the Irish Sea to see if we can encounter these ruffians and put them in the hands of the hangman.”

There was a murmur of interest and speculation round the table.  Merriman
’s voice rose above it, “I know that you have all been wondering who our mysterious guest Mr. Grahame is and why he is here.  Mr. Grahame represents a higher authority than myself and although I am in command of the ship and all activities at sea, we are to be used as he sees fit.”

He turned to Grahame,
“Perhaps you would like to say a few words Sir?”

“
Thank you. I have little to add at this point except to say that there will be secret landings and meetings ashore by both your Captain and myself.  These will be for the purpose of gathering, from certain persons in my employ, information which will be of use to us.  More obviously, we are empowered to stop and search any vessels which arouse our suspicions.  We shall be looking for French agents attempting to cross from Ireland to England so that one way or another there will be ample opportunity for your boats’ crews to practice their skills.”

He paused
for a moment before continuing, “Remember gentlemen, that whilst we are not actively at war with France yet, I know that we most likely will be in the near future.  Therefore we are engaged in a quiet war, some may say a bizarre war, but all for the benefit of our country.

“
I can see several of you have questions,” said Merriman, “Mr. St James, would you care to begin?”

“
Thank you Sir.  I know we all have been wondering why my marines are aboard, which is unusual on so small a ship.  It’s made for very crowded  accommodation and in the activities you and Mr. Grahame have described there would seem to be little need for us.  I hope I can at least post your cabin sentry Sir, It will give the men something to do.”

“
I don’t know myself exactly why you are aboard Mr. St James, but I think that the Admiralty must have had a good reason for your presence here.  No doubt those reasons will become apparent in time.  Concerning the posting of a sentry, if there were no marines aboard as would be usual on so small a ship, there would be no sentry. Besides, the poor man couldn’t stand upright, the deck-head is too low. Next question?”

“
How often will you be going ashore Sir, and for how long?” asked Jeavons.

Merriman studied him carefully.  Was this an indication that his First Lieutenant did not feel c
onfident in his ability to cope when left alone in command.  So far he had proved to be a capable officer but Merriman had no idea how he would act under real stress when he had nobody senior to turn to.

“
The first time is likely to be two or three days only. How often after that I cannot say.”

“
Sir, Sir,” squeaked the diminutive Midshipman Shrigley, emboldened by two glasses of good claret, “Will I have a chance of going ashore Sir?  It all sounds very exciting and I’d do my best to help.”

The others smoth
ered smiles of amusement as Merriman replied with a twinkle in his eye,  “I’m impressed by your enthusiasm Mr. Shrigley and I am sure that you would do your best as you say, but as yet I cannot see a part for you to play ashore.  You must wait a while for your opportunity.”

“
Mr. Cuthbert, Mr. McBride, have you no questions?”

“
No Sir”, said the Master, “After our earlier conversation I checked my notes again and can foresee no problems.”

“
The surgeon tried to conceal a belch.  “My knives are sharp Sir but it seems unlikely they will be required on this voyage so I think that I’ll probably manage.”

“
Very well then Gentlemen, if there is nothing further, I think this pleasant evening must draw to a close.”  As the officers rose and uttered their thanks for the hospitality, Merriman said “It is I who must thank the wardroom for supplying most of the meal. Goodnight Gentlemen.  Oh, Mr. McBride, would you remain behind for a moment.”

When the others had gone,
the Surgeon remained, slumped in his chair.  McBride was red faced and sweating profusely having consumed more than his fair share of the claret.  Also he was having great difficulty in keeping his eyes open.

Merriman regarded him silently.  It was not un
usual for a ship’s surgeon at that time to have chosen to serve afloat rather than face a debtor’s prison or a cuckolded husband or worse.  Perhaps lacking the skills required to make a competent living ashore, the navy was the lowest rung of the professional ladder available.

“
Mr. McBride,” Merriman’s voice cracked like a whip over the Surgeon’s head, “You will oblige me by sitting up straight and opening your eyes.  I have no knowledge of your professional capabilities but I do know that you are drunk and over fond of the use of alcohol.  It has not gone unnoticed that you do not rise for breakfast and when you do appear on deck, it is obvious that you’ve been drinking.  This I will not tolerate. From now on you will come on deck every morning at the change from the morning watch to the forenoon watch in a clean and sober condition and report to the officer of the watch.  Should you fail to do so, the officer will have orders to have you brought on deck in whatever state you happen to be in and there you will remain until you are sober.  Do you understand me?”

Merriman
’s words slowly penetrated the man’s confused mind.  “Oh God, he’d done it again.  Why couldn’t he keep off the drink?”  Every good resolution lasted until the next time a bottle was in front of him.  He was filled with self pity and self loathing in equal measure.  “Sir you don’t understand, I can’t ----” his voice trailed off before the anger in the Captain’s face.

“
I understand only too well” said Merriman, “Bad excuses are worse than none.  You must mend your ways.  I’ll not have a drunkard trying to tend men with shattered bodies, broken limbs or any other injury possible in a ship of war.  They deserve better.  Now, get back to your cabin, and remember, wine has drowned more men than the sea.”

After the man had struggled to his feet and staggered from the cabin, Merriman wondered if he had been too hard.  No, he decided, the wretched man must climb out of the pit of misery he had dug for himself and he would need to be helped to help himself
. There was probably a sad story behind him but that would have to be ignored.  If McBride did not improve, he would have to go.

That decided, Merriman went on deck for a breath of fresh air.  Seeing him, Mr. Andrews moved to the leeward side to leave his
Captain his own side.  Merriman checked the slate by the binnacle.  The slate listed alterations of course, sail changes and Captain’s orders for the day.  Usually made up by the Master, the information thereon was used by both Captain and Master to complete their daily logs.  Merriman called the Lieutenant over and showed him what he had just written, his orders concerning McBride.

“
Ensure that each officer at the change of watch carries this out until further orders.  Goodnight Mr. Andrews.”

“
Aye-aye Sir, goodnight.”

Five days later, delayed by adverse winds, the
Aphrodite
rounded the northern tip of Anglesey, keeping well off to avoid the dreaded Skerries, an isolated group of rocks which had been the death of many a proud ship.  It was time to begin her new role.

In the candlelight, Helen Simpson studied her reflection in the mirror over her dressing table as she brushed her hair vigorously before going to bed.  Her long dark hair shone in the candlelight and her complexion was more coloured by the sun in India than society considered right for a lady.  “Damn Society”, she said to herself, “I don’t care what society thinks, I won’t be bound by their petty conventions, I won’t, I won’t”.

She sighed,
“There I go again, why do I always seem to be at odds with people?”  She knew that her father wanted to see her safely married so that her future might be assured, and in truth she had no real objections to the idea, but she had always kept men at arms length. She thought about the men who had tried to win her affections back in India,  the company clerks and garrison officers, more boys than men she considered, and the older men, usually married, and often drunk as they tried to assail her virtue.  She had grown so accustomed to discouraging them by deliberately not taking them seriously or turning them away with a cutting remark that it had become a habit she was finding hard to break.

Her thoughts moved to Lieutenant Merriman and her expression softened and turned rather wistfu
l.  There was no doubt that she was attracted to him, he aroused feelings within herself such as she had not experienced before.  But in spite of that she knew that she had upset him with her remarks.  “Now he has gone again, back to the sea which he so obviously loves and it could be months or maybe years before I see him again”.  She sighed again and brushed her hair even more vigorously

She could not know that the object of her thoughts and his companion were even then being rowed ashore at the tip of the Wirral peninsula.  The
Aphrodite
had crept slowly along the Horse Channel guided by the Sea Lights on the coast and the so called Lake Lights and when the Lake Lights were in line dropped anchor near the north east buoy at the corner of the Hoyle bank The night was almost pitch black relieved only by the sea lights and the light from the Schomberg lighthouse on the Point of Air.  There were also a few scattered lights to be seen from the small villages of Little Meols and Hoose.

Merriman thought about the orders he had given to the First Lieutenant before leaving the ship.  He was harbouring doubts a
bout Mr. Jeavons, especially as he had requested his orders to be put in writing. The orders couldn’t be simpler, the ship was to cruise well offshore out of sight of land, ignoring other vessels, and to return to the same place inshore the following night, close to midnight.  If they saw Merriman’s signal, a lantern flashed three times, a boat was to be sent to pick him up.  If no signal was seen then the same orders were to be followed for the next two nights.  “Can’t worry about Jeavons now” he told himself, “I’ll just have to trust him.”

Briefly he allowed his thoughts to wander to Alan Jones, his friend and First Lieutenant in the brig
Conflict
, killed in the affair with the corsairs, and what a capable and absolutely reliable officer he had been.  “I would have no doubts about him” he thought.

Merriman cursed himself for his inattention to his surroundings as Midshipman Oakley who was at the tiller whispered
“Nearly there Sir, good luck.” just before the boat scraped on the shore.  They were fortunate that it was almost high tide, saving them a weary foot slogging over the muddy foreshore.  Two burly seamen dropped over the side and carried Merriman and Mr. Grahame above the tide line to keep their boots dry.  Quickly pushing the boat afloat again the two men climbed on board and the boat disappeared into the darkness.  No further word had been spoken, all knew what to do.

“
Well done Captain” said Grahame, “Horses are our next problem.”

After struggling through the soft sand over a stretch of low sand dun
es they found a rough track which led towards the village of Hoose.  Hoose and the adjacent village of Little Meols overlooked the stretch of sea known as the Hoyle Lake, bounded by the Hoyle Bank and at that time the area containing the two villages was beginning to be known as Hoylake. A brisk walk soon brought them to a small hotel by the name of the Green Lodge.  As  Mr. Grahame was obviously a gentleman but Merriman looked more like a servant in his seaman’s trousers and borrowed coat and carrying a small signalling lantern, they determined to maintain those roles and Grahame was quickly able to secure the hire of two horses from an ingratiating innkeeper.  That individual’s questions and attempts to strike up a conversation were speedily crushed by a cold stare from Grahame and the injunction to mind his own damned business.

It was only some fifteen miles to Burton where Merriman
’s parents lived, so it was not long before Merriman was banging on the door for admittance.  After a brief wait lights flared in an upstairs window followed by the sounds of movement behind the door.  Merriman heard his father’s voice bellowing “Who is it waking folk in the middle of the night, speak up now?”

At the reply
“James, Father, with a friend,” the bolts were withdrawn and the door opened to reveal the Captain wearing a gown over his nightshirt and holding a brace of  pistols, one of them cocked.  A manservant holding a club hovered in the background, and a maid was at the foot of the stairs.

“
Sorry about the pistols James,” said his father un-cocking the one and placing it on a side table with its companion.  “There are so many villains about that one cannot be too careful.  Now then, who is your friend and why are you here when we thought you to be in London?”

“
A long story Father, but first may we not go near a fire and have something to warm us?  And the horses need to be stabled.”

“
Of course my boy, forgetting my manners” and turning to Mr. Grahame he said “You are welcome Sir.”  Giving instructions to the maid to go upstairs and reassure Mrs Merriman that all was well, he led them into the main room of the house where the remains of a fire were still glowing.  The manservant quickly re-appeared with some logs and livened up the fire whilst Captain Merriman poured glasses of brandy and handed them round.

After sending the man to rouse a stable boy to see to the horses before going back to bed, he said
“Now then James, I’m eaten up with curiosity to know why you have arrived dressed like a servant, and in the middle of the night too?”

Merriman proceeded to introduce his companion and to relate to his father all the events that had happened since leaving home, and Mr. Grahame
’s part in them. “So you see Father, we came ashore secretly, hoping to avoid spreading the news too soon that a new King’s ship was in these waters, before we knew  if  anything  further has developed up here.  Mr. Grahame has his own sources of information and will be pursuing those as soon as he can, but have you seen Owen again or have Mr. Flitwick’s revenue people found out anything new?”

“
No James, I have heard nothing from Mr. Flitwick since you left and there has been no word from your man Owen.  I hope he’s still alive, it’s a dangerous game he is playing.”

“
It certainly is Father.  You know, he hasn’t got a sister but he has told the gang that he has, and it might help Owen if it could be arranged for him to have a ‘sister’ at a farm near here, so that if anybody suspects him and follows him, he could go there to see her rather than come here to the house of a known magistrate. Do you think we can persuade somebody to help in this way?”

“
Good idea James, leave it to me.  I’m sure that Mr. Green at Burton Farm will help, I’ll go and see him tomorrow.”

Grahame stood up and moving closer to the fi
re, spoke quietly,  “Captain Merriman, as you will have realized, we are not dealing here with simple smugglers, there is much more at stake than you know.  I’m privy to certain information which I am not at liberty to divulge at present but I
will
tell you in confidence that the French are deeply involved.  It is also believed that some person or persons of the Quality are mixed up in it and none of it can be to this country’s benefit.”

“
That’s true” replied the Captain, “Are we talking about treason, Sir?”

“
I believe we are Captain, I believe we are.”

“
Then damn and blast the lot of them Sir, God’s curse on a man who will betray his country.  I’ll do all I can to help in any way I can, though I don’t know what more I can do.”

“
I’m sure you will Sir, perhaps you could make more enquiries of your neighbours to pick up any gossip or rumour which may have a grain of truth in it, and also follow the Lieutenant’s suggestion about the farmer and this man Owen’s – er – sister.”

Grahame co
ntinued, “I would like to be off early in the morning to see one of my informers, and your son is also to go to Chester to see Mr. Flitwick, so if I may be found a little something to eat and somewhere to rest ------- ?”

“
Of course Sir, I sent the servants to bed but I’m sure we can find some bread and cold meats in the kitchen. We can go and help ourselves.”

As they munched on thick slices of cold beef, pickles and bread spread with fresh yellow butter Merriman
’s father remarked, “By the by James, a box arrived for you only today from London.”

“
Ah, that could be my new uniform, I’ll look at it later to see that it fits,  I can take it back to the ship with me tomorrow evening or the day after.”

Next morning, as the sun was beginning to disperse the early mo
rning mists, the two men set off on their respective errands, riding two of Captain Merriman’s horses, agreeing to meet back at the house later that day.  Merriman was now dressed in his own clothes.  His destination was the Customs House where he expected to be able to speak with Mr. Flitwick the Chief Customs Officer.  Entering the city, he made enquiries as to the location of the Customs House to find that it was in Watergate Street.

The building was built mostly of brick with stonework round the windows
and doors, much weatherworn and set at an awkward angle to the rest of the buildings in the street.  Over the main entrance, carved into a stone tablet, a coat of arms appeared to have an Earl’s coronet at the top of the achievement.  Dismounting, Merriman was surprised to see a small figure he recognized, slipping into one of the other several entrances.  It was Mr. Beadle, the lawyer’s clerk.

Entering the building which was thronged with porters, merchants, customs men and clerks he saw that the floor wa
s covered with bales of Irish muslin and printed linen, bundles of hides from Ireland mixed with boxes of tea and coffee, small barrels of spirits and other bundles of an indeterminate nature piled to the ceiling.  Customs men were busy weighing and measuring to assess the amount of duty payable and the air was filled with a rich variety of aromas and the sounds of fierce argument.  Papers and fists were brandished as merchants quibbled with the customs men over the assessments, trying to reduce their costs.

Merriman asked and was told that Mr. Flitwick was on the next floor.  Climbing the stairs he could see over most of the ground floor and he glimpsed Mr. Beadle in earnes
t conversation with one of the clerks in a corner behind a pile of barrels.  “Strange, what do those two have in common?  Probably friends I suppose, both being clerks” he mused and then dismissed all thoughts of Beadle and his friend when he saw Mr. Flitwick standing behind a row of clerks at desks,  watching as they collected money and recorded the details in huge ledgers as merchants lined up to pay.

“
Mr. Merriman Sir, a pleasure to see you again.  What brings you to this bedlam?”  Without waiting for an answer he moved away from the counting desks and continued, “This is what we call the counting room where we collect duties and keep it in strongboxes until it can be sent down to the treasury in London.  We also have auction sales of seized goods in this room which is sometimes called the Long Room.  Why the Long Room you ask?  No good reason really, every Customs House has one whatever size and shape it is. Named after the one in London I shouldn’t wonder.”

He carried on this monologue until he had found a clear space near a window where they would not be overheard. 
“Mr. Merriman, I have some information which may interest you. Three or four days ago one of our small luggers which watches for smuggling round the Isle of Man, encountered a ship which may have been our stolen cutter.  It was almost dark but one man who had been crew on the cutter recognized it by the odd shaped patches on the mainsail, rather like an inverted letter ‘T’ he said.  The hull was painted a darker colour than it had been but he was certain that he was right.”

“
Where exactly was this, and what course was it steering?”

“
To the west of the island and heading south, but that doesn’t tell us it’s final destination does it?”

“
No it doesn’t, but now we know that it is still in these waters and that gives us hope of finding it.”

Merriman went on to tell Mr. Flitwick about his new command and Mr. Grahame
’s presence aboard.  “He asked me to convey his regards and hopes to call on you but it’s not certain he will have the time.”

“
Thank you, Laurence Graham is a very good friend of mine and we have served in the Treasury service together.  Perhaps you would give me the pleasure of entertaining you to a meal.  I must stay here until mid-day but shortly after I could meet you in the Yacht Inn where I usually eat. It’s only a little way up this street.”