16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
tricts send confidential reports to the Viceroy. It
was Muñoz who first suggested that we should
use them, when I began to let him have a
share in some of my undertakings; and now of
the seven copies made one comes to me as a
matter of course: they are particularly interesting
at this juncture, since they have an appendix
on the political opinion and loyalty of
many officers, ecclesiastics and servants of the
crown.' He looked at Stephen to see the effect
of his words, and with some satisfaction he
went on, 'This brings us naturally to the army.
But before we speak of the soldiers, may I ask
whether you know there is a French mission
here?'
'I do,' said Stephen, smiling. 'It would be
strange if there were not. But I know only of its
existence. Pray tell me what the mission consists
of, and how they are coming along.'
'There are five of them, all said to be Swiss,