“I do.” Xavier sat with his back against the wall, his knees drawn up. “It seems that bribery is a way of life here?”
Neilsen nodded.
“Can we bribe a few guards to look the other way as we slip out of the bagnio?”
“I think so. But it will take an incredible amount of gold.”
“I have an incredible amount of gold, although not here,” Xavier said. “I am the heir to Blackwell Shipping.” He forced Robert’s image aside. “If you can arrange to pay the bribe now, I will have the entire sum sent to you from Boston, including a bonus.”
“I don’t need a bonus,” Neilsen said. “I am aiding you because it is my duty, to both of our countries, and to myself, as a man.”
“Surely you will not refuse a gift, then?” Xavier asked, relaxing somewhat. He had already judged the Dane to be a man of conviction.
“Perhaps.” Neilsen shrugged.
“We must also contact Commodore Morris,” Xavier said. “A rendezvous shall be prearranged. After slipping from the bagnio, we can go to the beach outside of Tripoli, where U.S. gunboats can be waiting for us. If just one of the U.S. brigs is there, she can cover us with her guns in case we are followed by janissaries or corsairs and they attempt to stop us.”
“A good plan, Captain,” Neilsen said, “although not without flaws.”
“Every plan has flaws. Are the city gates guarded?”
“Yes. You will need weapons in order to fight your way out.”
“Can you attain weapons? Perhaps two or three pistols, and enough daggers for each of my thirty-four men?”
“I will need help,” Neilsen said. “What is our time frame?”
“That will depend on Morris. But I would like to tentatively say one month from now.”
Neilsen stared. “This is a tall order.”
“My men are being abused. Some will die before we even try to escape. The sooner the better,” Xavier said sharply.
Neilsen nodded, but he was grim.
“There is one other thing,” Xavier said. “We cannot leave Tripoli as long as thePearlremains intact.” He pictured his beautiful ship as she cut through the swells of the ocean, as swift as the wind. “ThePearlmust be destroyed.”
“Before the escape?” Neilsen shook his head. “You will ruin your chance of success if you manage to destroy thePearl.The bashaw will be furious. You will be severely punished, Captain, as will your men.”
“I guessed as much.”
“Forget thePearl.Although it is terrible that the bashaw will have such a ship in his navy, you have no other choice.”
“No,” Xavier said flatly. “ThePearlwill be destroyed the night of our escape.”
Neilsen blinked. “What?”
His eyes gleamed. “She will provide us with the ultimate diversion.”
“Well.” Neilsen took a deep breath. “And you still think to arrange all of this within four weeks!”
Xavier nodded.
Neilsen became pensive. Xavier allowed him to think. The Dane finally looked up. “I think Mrs. Thornton could be a useful ally. She has already proven herself unusually resourceful and clever. Although I hate involving a woman in danger—”
“No.”
“Why do you distrust her so?”
