"Says he's Phil Carré, of Belfontaine, but--"

And the other dark face broke into a smile. "Tiens, I remember. You came
across once before--"

"Yes. You had the measles."

"And what brings you this time, Phil Carré?"

"I want to speak with Monsieur Le Marchant."

"And to see Carette, I think you said, Monsieur Phil Carré," said the
other.

"Certainly."

"Come along, then," said Helier, the new-comer. "There is no harm in Phil
Carré. You have not by any chance gone into the preventive service,
Monsieur Carré?" he laughed.

"Not quite. I'm off to the privateering. It's that I want to speak to your
father about."

"How then?" he asked with interest, as we walked along towards the great
wooden house in the hollow. "How does it concern him?"

"Torode of Herm is the cleverest privateer round here, they say. I thought
to try with him, and your father knows more about him than anyone else."