But with your permission, I see five
points.--Here's a rough sketch, made some time ago."
He tossed on the table a sheet of paper. Forrester spread it, frowning,
while the others leaned across or craned over his chair.
"All out of whack, you see," explained the draughtsman; "but here are my
points, Gilly. One: your house lies quite inland, with four sides to
defend: the river and marsh give Rudie's but two and a fraction. Boats?
Not hardly: we'd soon stop that, as you'll see, if they dare.
Anyhow,--point two,--your house is all hillocks behind, and shops
roundabout: here's just one low ridge, and the rest clear field. Third:
the Portuguese built a well of sorts in the courtyard; water's deadly, I
dare say, but your place has no well whatever. And as to four,
suppose--in a sudden alarm, say, those cut off by land could run another
half-chance to reach the place by river.--By the way, the nunnery has a
bell to ring."
Gilbert Forrester shoved the map along to his neighbor, and cleared his
throat.
"Gentlemen," he declared slowly, "you once did me the honor to say that
in--in a certain event, you would consider me as acting head.
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