`` in flying range , i mean-and if we should be straining the ship 's capacity- '' `` we would nevertheless be bound by our parole to remain , unless the french should give us leave to go , '' laurence said with enough finality , he hoped , to forestall any untenable suggestion : hammond was a remarkable man in many respects , and laurence had cause to be grateful for his gifts , but on occasion one might not be sure of him .