Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (131 page)

             
"
Good,
"
the
Captain
said.
"
At
least
they
will
understand
then
that
I
will
not
be
threatened.
The
very
fact
that
they
shifted
guns
in
the
battery
to
bear
on
us
is
sufficient
reason
I
think.
"
He
glanced
at
the
note.
"
What
does
it
say?
"

             
"
In
essence,
that
His
Majesty
would
be
happy
to
accept
an
invitation
to
visit
your
ship.
"
The
Agent
looked
up.
"
I
suspect
he
has
his
own
reasons
for
not
being
in
the
Palace
for
a
few
hours.
I
would
suggest
that
you
despatch
an
invitation
as
soon
as
you
may.
"

             
"
My
thoughts
exactly.
"
The
Captain
smiled.

***

             
An
hour
later
Harry
found
himself
once
more
at
the
entrance
to
the
Palace
bearing
a
sealed
package
with
instructions
for
its
delivery
to
the
Sultan.
Mohammad
Tanha
accompanied
him
and
several
lengthy
discussions
with
various
court
officials
eventually
saw
Harry
standing
once
more
before
the
Sultan
himself.

             
He
bowed
and
handed
over
the
sealed
letter.
"
My
Captain
'
s
compliments,
your
majesty.
He
hopes
that
you
are
in
good
health
and
will
honour
us
with
a
visit
to
our
ship
at
your
convenience.
"
He
had
rehearsed
this
speech
all
the
way
to
the
palace
and
throughout
the
lengthy
wait
and
was
pleased
with
himself
for
having
got
it
word
perfect
in
spite
of
his
surroundings.

             
The
Sultan
smiled
and
acknowledged
the
message.
"
Peace
and
blessings
upon
you,
young
man.
I
am
pleased
to
accept
this
invitation.
"
He
paused
and
then
asked
suddenly,
"
Why
does
your
Captain
point
his
guns
at
my
palace?
"

             
Harry
was
surprised.
But
he
recovered
his
wits
quickly,
and
said,
"
But
we
do
not,
sir.
The
ship
is
merely
anchored
fore
and
aft
in
this
manner
since
that
prevents
her
swinging
in
confined
waters.
It
is
not
the
Captain
'
s
intention
to
menace
the
palace,
I
am
sure.
"

             
The
Sultan
nodded,
his
face
inscrutable.
"
I
understand
perfectly.
Your
loyalty
is
remarkable,
but
perhaps
the
finer
detail
of
some
situations
escapes
you
as
yet,
yes?
"
He
opened
the
letter
and
summoned
a
lackey.
Handing
it
to
the
man
he
gave
orders
in
Arabic.
Mohammad
Tanha
translated
softly
to
Harry
as
the
Sultan
spoke,
"
He
says
to
reply
accepting
the
invitation.
He
will
come
this
evening
at
sunset.
"

             
The
Sultan
turned
again
to
Harry
and
said,
"
My
reply
will
be
with
you
shortly.
Convey
my
greetings
to
your
Captain,
I
shall
look
forward
to
meeting
him
again.
"

-

             
While
Harry
was
busy
at
the
palace,
Midshipman
Barclay
was
with
a
party
accompanying
the
Purser
and
several
seamen
to
the
part
of
the
Souq
that
dealt
with
fresh
fruit,
vegetables
and
other
provisions.
Ferghal
was
among
the
group,
his
task
to
ensure
that
the
items
required
by
the
Midshipmen
were
obtained
and
their
purse
was
not
ruined
in
the
process,
slim
as
it
already
was.
The
company
agent
had
provided
an
interpreter
for
them
and
this
worthy
also
acted
as
guide.
He
led
them
deep
into
the
Souq
and
Ferghal
was
amazed
at
the
variety
of
goods
and
the
range
of
sounds
and
smells
assaulting
his
senses.

             
"
Stay
close,
"
Midshipman
Barclay
growled.
"
I
don
'
t
want
to
have
to
send
the
Bullocks
ashore
to
look
for
any
of
you.
And
don
'
t
trust
these
damned
rogues
–
they
'
ll
have
a
knife
into
all
of
us
in
a
trice
if
they
think
there
'
s
a
profit
in
it.
"

             
"
Know
who
I
'
d
stick
it
ter,
"
growled
one
of
the
seamen
soto
voce
.
"
Anyone
lands
us
in
trouble
it
'
d
be
'
im.
"

             
"
What
are
you
muttering
about
Kemble?
"
demanded
the
midshipman.
"
Any
cheek
from
you
and
I
'
ll
see
your
back!
"