Blackwell took out a handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat from his brow, his Adam's apple moving up and down with his swallowing: "Sir, allow me to sort out the subtleties of the situation for you again. After all, Earl Dalamo's phrasing is as hard to decipher as his drunken calligraphy."
Arthur sensed something was amiss in Blackwell's words: "Has Captain Hutter's news been sent back? Sir David Eckett is still alive?"
Blackwell seemed like he had a stone stuck in his throat, his face showing a grim smile: "I think perhaps you should be more concerned about Earl Dalamo's health than Sir David's."
