The tall, lanky man leading the group pointed toward the docks and they set off across the street.
Gabe ducked back, shrouding himself in the darkness that hid Mary and Colin.
He waited until the traitors walked down the wooden planks before he turned to whisper, “The tavern was too crowded. They have gone te the docks. They’re likely to board tha’ frigate, as it’s the closest one.”
“But how are we to follow?” Mary asked. “We would have no plausible reason to be there. We cannot very well swim to the ship and listen from the water. They would shoot us on sight.”
Gabe shook his head regretfully. “We have nae choice, I’m afraid, Mary. We must remain ashore te watch them. We willnae hear them, but we will be able te see them well enough if we find the right spo’.” He lowered his hat on his head, hiding his eyes. “Come along, then. We donnae wish te miss the meeting.”
He led them through the darkness across the street, rushing from one shadow to another. Their quarries boarded a small rowboat and took themselves to the moored frigate, then began to climb the rope ladder leading to the deck one at a time.
“Why the devil would they wish te conduct their meeting on a boat?” Colin mumbled as they crouched against the side of the nearest dockside building.
It was as close as they were able to get without being exposed, but it afforded them a well enough view of the proceedings, provided the traitors did not go below deck.
