Horatio has every confidence in Archie's courage and in Pellew's discretion. Yet, he faces a moral choice: whether to betray a confidence or not. Nice dilemma...

Confidence.

"That is all, gentlemen," said Captain Pellew.

As they left, he called "Mr Hornblower, one word if you please?" He signalled him to close the door.

"Mr Hornblower, you have no misgivings about Mr Kennedy commanding the second boat? I didn't want to question your suggestion in public... Yet, I must ask. Do you think there might be the smallest risk of his having a fit during the action?"

The memory of the Papillon attack loomed in Sir Edward's mind, however reluctant he might be to broach the subject.

"I value the courage and abilities of Mr Kennedy, and I admit there has been no cause to suspect anything of the kind since his return, but I must consider the safety of the men, and of the ship. This will be our most dangerous venture so far and you know the stakes."

"I can safely assure you he won't have a fit, sir. He hasn't had one since we came back from Spain, and he won't have one again."

"So, he is cured, in your opinion?"

"I know for a fact that he is cured, sir, and that it would be most unfair to penalise him for past sufferings. What triggered his fits has been… eliminated. He's the most courageous man I know and he has overcome all troubles and memories that could plague him."

Lieutenant Hornblower stared straight ahead with his best 'on watch' look. His ramrod-stiff stance was a sure proof for Sir Edward that he was in full turmoil inside.

"An interesting choice of words, Mr Hornblower. Mmm. Am I right in assuming you to refer to a person and not to a disease or... a vice?" He added quickly, "I don't ask you to break any confidence."

"Sir." Pellew could almost hear the working of his junior officer's mind.

"Someone I knew?" he insisted.

Hornblower looked him in the eye. "Someone you killed."