He concluded by admitting that what he had said about Ben Greenway was merely a blind to turn their suspicions from his intended departure.

If his good brother-in-law, out of kindness to the Scotchman, had brought him to the Belinda and had insisted on keeping him there, it would have made his, Bonnet's, secret departure a great deal easier.
Kate had never fainted in her life, but when she had finished this letter she went down flat on her back.
Leaving his niece to the good offices of Dame Charter, Mr.Delaplaine, breathing hotly, went ashore, accompanied by the captain.

When they reached the storehouse they found it locked, with the key in the custody of a shop-keeper near-by.

They soon heard what had happened to Blackbeard's business agent.

He had gone off in a piratical vessel, which had sailed for somewhere, in the middle of the night; and, moreover, it was believed that the Scotchman who worked for him had gone with him, for he had been seen running towards the water, and afterward taking his place among the oarsmen in a boat which went out to the departing vessel.
"May that unholy vessel be sunk as soon as it reaches the open sea!" was the deadly desire which came from the heart of Mr.Delaplaine.But the wish had not formed itself into words before the good merchant recanted.
"I totally forgot that faithful Scotchman," he sighed..