Holgate's figure blocked the doorway. "If I may come in," he said smoothly, "and you're quite done with your pistol practice, gentlemen, I should like to make a proposal to you."
"It shall be unconditional surrender, Sir John Barraclough," said the Prince morosely; "I will have no other terms."
"You may come in," said Barraclough shortly.
Holgate edged himself through. "I claim the protection of this flag," said he flatly, and looked about him. "I hope my men haven't knocked you about too much. Doctor, my respects to you. You've got a head on you."
"Come to business, sir," said Barraclough harshly.
"Sir John, I've saved your ship, and I hope you'll lay that to my credit," said Holgate in his leisurely voice. "I found her drifting on a lee shore when I took charge, and, by thunder, she'd have floundered in another half-hour. So whatever you set on one side of the ledger, there's that lump on the other."
"We're not here to talk about these matters," said Barraclough sternly.
"Excuse me, Sir John, we are," said Holgate sweetly. "We're just on that and nothing else. It's pretty clear how you stand, but if you like I'll rehearse the situation. And I want you to understand where _I_ stand. See? I don't think that's so clear to you; and I want ventilation. This is a duffing game for his Royal Highness there. He stands to make nothing out of it, as things go, and there's precious little in it for any of you. Here you are prisoners in these palatial rooms, outnumbered by more than two to one, and not a man of his hands among you, if I except the doctor. Well, you can hold out, I daresay. I know all about that. You've got a call on the food cupboard, and you're welcome to it. But I've got the yacht, and she'll canter under my hands, not Sir John's. Don't you make any mistake. You're not in a first-class position, gentlemen."
"You're a long time coming to the point," said Barraclough with exemplary curtness. "We have no time to waste."
"Well, gentlemen, I'm willing to make a deal--that's the short of it--a deal that will suit both parties. That's the pith of the situation."
He gazed from one to another of us unembarrassed, and even with an expression of amiable cheerfulness. "And my proposal's this----"