"Well, I don’t see what we can do," said Clive, when Desmond repeated the news to him. "Mr. Watson no doubt suspected her when it was too late. Nothing but a regular chase could have captured her after she had passed. Ships can’t be spared for that; they’ve much more important work on hand." "Still, ’tis a pity, sir," said Desmond. "’Tis not only that Captain Barker is an interloper; he has been in league with pirates, and his being at Chandernagore all these months means no good." "It means at any rate that he hasn’t been able to get a cargo. Trade’s at a standstill. Well, I’d give something to lay Mr. Barker and his crew by the heels--on behalf of the Company, Burke, for don’t forget, as some of our friends of the Calcutta Council do, that I am here to save the Company, not their private property. ’Tis too late to stop the vessel now." "I’d like to try, sir." "I daresay you would. You’re as ready to take risks as I am," he added, with his characteristic pursing of the lips; "and ’pon my word, you’re just as lucky! For I’m lucky, Burke; there’s no doubt of it. That affair at Calcutta might have done for us but for the morning mist. I’d like to try myself. It would punish a set of rogues, and discourage interloping, to the benefit of the Company. But I can’t spare men for the job. Barker has no doubt a large crew; they’ll be on the look-out for attack; no, I can’t touch it." Desmond hesitated for a moment. He did not wish to lose the fighting at Chandernagore, but he had the strongest personal reasons for desiring the arrest of the _Good Intent_. "Do you think, sir, we shall capture this place to-morrow?" he asked suddenly. "Scarcely, my boy," said Clive, "nor by to-morrow week unless the French have forgotten how to fight. Why do you ask?" "Because if you’d give me leave I’d like to have a shot at the _Good Intent_--provided I got back in time to be with you in the fighting line, sir." "Well, I can’t keep things waiting, even for you," said Clive with a smile; "and it seems a wild-goose chase--rather a hazardous one." "I’d risk that, sir. I could get together some men in Calcutta, and I’d hope to be back here in a couple of days." "Well, well, Burke, you’d wheedle the Mogul himself. Any one could tell you’re an Irishman. Get along then; do your best, and if you don’t come back I’ll try to take Chandernagore without you." He smiled as he slapped Desmond on the shoulder. Well pleased with his ready consent, Desmond hurried away, got a horse, and, riding hard, reached Calcutta by eight o’clock and went straight to Mr. Merriman. Explaining what was afoot he asked for the loan of the men of the _Hormuzzeer_. Merriman at once agreed; Captain Barker was a friend of Peloti; and he needed no stronger inducement. Desmond hurried down to the river; the _Hormuzzeer_ was lying off Cruttenden Ghat, and Mr. Toley for once broke through his settled sadness of demeanour when he learnt of the expedition proposed.