Doubt came back into Hornblowers mind. He could not see that Bonaparte would derive any benefit from the conquest of Russia proportionate to the effort needed, or even proportionate to the slight risk involved. Bonaparte ought to be able to find a far more profitable employment for the men and the money. Probably there would be no war. Russia would submit, and England would face a Europe every square mile of which would be in the tyrants hands. And yet
This one is the Warsaw Gazette, sir, went on Braun. A little more official, from the French point of view, even than the other one, although its in the Polish language. Here is a long article about Russia. It speaks of the Cossack menace to Europe. It calls Alexander the barbarian ruler of a barbarian people. The successor of Genghis Khan. It says that St Petersburg is the focus of all the potential anarchy of Europea menace to the peace of the worlddeliberately hostile to the benefits conferred upon the world by the French people.
And that must be published with Bonapartes consent, commented Hornblower, half to himself, but Braun was still deep in the article.
The wanton ravisher of Finland, read Braun, more than half to himself. He raised his green eyes from the sheet. There was a gleam of hatred in them that startled Hornblower; it reminded him of what he was in a fair way to forget, that Braun was a penniless exile on account of Russias attack on Finland. Braun had taken service with England, but that was at a time when Russia was at least Englands nominal enemy. Hornblower made a mental note that it might be as well not to trust Braun with any confidential business regarding Russia; of her own free will Russia would never restore Finnish independence, and there was always the chance that Bonaparte might do sothat he might restore what Bonaparte would call Finnish independence, for what that was worth. There were still people who might be deceived by Bonapartes professions, despite his record of deceit and broken faith, of cruelty and robbery.
Braun would bear watching, thought Hornblowerthat would be something more to bear in mind, as if he did not have enough worries or carry enough responsibility already. He could joke with Bush about the Swedes and the Russians, but secretly anxiety was gnawing at him. The Swedes might well be exasperated by the destruction of the Blanchefleur in Pomeranian waters. That might be the last straw; Bernadotte might at this very moment be contemplating wholehearted alliance with Bonaparte and war with England. The prospect of the enmity of Sweden as well as that of France might easily break down Russias resolution. England might find herself with the whole world in arms against her as a result of Hornblowers action. A fine climax that would be to his first independent command. Those cursed brothers of Barbaras would sneer in superior fashion at his failure.
Hornblower shook himself with an effort out of this nightmare, to find that Braun was obviously still in his. The hatred in his eyes, the intensity of his expression were quite startling. And then someone knocked on the cabin door and Braun came out of his dream and slipped instantly into his old attitude of attentive deference.
Come in, shouted Hornblower.
It was one of the midshipmen of the watch.
Mr. Montgomery sent me with this signal from Raven, sir.
He held out the slate; it was scrawled with the words written on it by the signal officer.
Have met Swedish vessel desirous of speaking with Commodore.
Ill come on deck, said Hornblower. Ask the captain if hell be kind enough to come too.
The capns on deck, sir.
Very good.
Bush and Montgomery and half a dozen officers had their glasses trained towards the topsails of the Raven at her station far out on the port beam as the squadron swept up the Baltic. There was still an hour of daylight left.
Captain Bush, said Hornblower, Id be obliged if you would have the helm put up and
heard what Boneys done? he began.
I have heard nothing recently.
He sent 50,000 troops into Swedish Pomerania the moment he got the news of what you did off Stralsund.
Indeed?
They acted in their usual style. Vandamme was in command. He began by fining the municipality of Stralsund 100,000 francs for not greeting his arrival with the ringing of the church bells. He interrupted the service at the church of the Holy Ghost so as to lay hold of the communion plate. He seized the Governor-General and threw him into gaol. The troops were out of hand because the garrison of Rügen tried to oppose their crossing. There was looting and murder and rape all through Rügen. The Baron here escaped in a fishing-boat. All the other officials and the troops are prisoners.
So Boney is at war with Sweden now?
Wychwood shrugged his shoulders; everyone in the Baltic seemed to shrug shoulders when it was a matter of having to make a downright statement regarding peace and war.
The Baron here can tell you about that, said Wychwood. They turned their glances towards the Baron, who began a voluble explanation in Swedish; Braun, standing against the bulkhead, translated.