London: Michael Joseph, 1967. Publishers original blue boards with gilt lettering to spine. Minor bumping to top and base of spine. Dustwrapper: unclipped, rubbing and wear along edge of front flap, small loss to top and base of spine, rubbing and browning along extremities, however now protected in Brodart. White endpapers, previous owners name to front endpaper, slight stain on paper edge. 175pp. some light foxing in margins of middle signatures, foxing and toning to closed pages, otherwise pages clean and bright in firm binding. Hornblower has just finished his tour blockading Brest on HM sloop "Hotspur". As he travels back to England for his next assignment, he is asked to participate in the court martial of Hotspur's new captain and officers. Hotspur ran aground one day after Hornblower turned over command. Following the court martial, the officers travel back to England with Hornblower. On their way, they are pursued by a French brig, which they engage and disable. During the battle, Hornblower boards the brig and captures papers from the French Captain's quarters. As a result of C.S. Forester's death in 1966, this book was left unfinished. There is a one-page summary of the last several chapters of the book found on the final page, taken from notes left behind from the author. Because this book is in the middle of the series, there are plenty of following stories that will fill in the blanks this book leaves open. This book also includes two short-stories, one at the beginning of Hornblower's career, and one at the very end. A very good copy in a good dustwrapper.. First Edition. Cloth. Very Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.