about this business at the Court. Now it happens that I, too, have
interests in Truro and Penryn; but, unlike Sir John, I am honest in the
matter, and proclaim it. If any growth should take place about
Smithick it follows from its more advantageous situation that Truro and
Penryn must suffer, and that suits me as little as the other matter
would suit Sir John. I told him so, for I can be blunt, and I told the
Queen in the form of a counter-petition to Sir John's." He shrugged.
"The moment was propitious to me. I was one of the seamen who had
helped to conquer the unconquerable Armada of King Philip. I was
therefore not to be denied, and Sir John was sent home as empty-handed
as he went to Court. D'ye marvel that he hates me? Knowing him for
what he is, d'ye marvel that he dubs me pirate and worse? 'Tis natural
enough so to misrepresent my doings upon the sea, since it is those
doings have afforded me the power to hurt his profit. He has chosen
the weapons of calumny for this combat, but those weapons are not mine,
as I shall show him this very day. If you do not credit what I say,
come with me and be present at the little talk I hope to have with that
curmudgeon."

"You forget," said Master Godolphin, "that I, too, have interests in
the neighbourhood of Smithick, and that you are hurting those."

"Soho!" crowed Sir Oliver. "Now at last the sun of truth peeps forth
from all this cloud of righteous indignation at my bad Tressilian blood
and pirate's ways! You, too, are but a trafficker. Now see what a
fool I am to have believed you sincere, and to have stood here in talk
with you as with an honest man." His voice swelled and his lip curled
in a contempt that struck the other like a blow. "I swear I had not
wasted breath with you had I known you for so mean and pitiful a
fellow."