one moment that I surmised what he wanted, or his words would have
been: "Odds fish! To the Tower with him!"

After several stammering efforts, he began: "I want you to see Du Boise,
whom you will find at De Grammont's house, and tell him that I accept
the offer he made this morning. I understand he brings the treaties
from France already written. At eight o'clock this evening they are to
be placed in the hands of your cousin, Mistress Jennings, together with
the bill drawn on Backwell of Lombard Street, for the sum of one hundred
thousand pounds. Deliver my message immediately and secretly. Let no
one know that I have spoken to you on the subject. After you have
seen Du Boise, go to Mistress Jennings and give her word from the Abbe
designating where and at what hour she is to receive the documents. I
suggest eight o'clock, that they may not be in her possession too long.
But wait a moment!"

He went to a writing desk standing near the river window, beckoned to me,
and continued excitedly, "Sit here and write at my dictation."

I sat down before the desk, took a quill, and awaited the king's
pleasure. After a moment's thought he dictated as follows:--

"To MONSIEUR L'ABBE DU BOISE,

"Ambassador Extraordinary from his Majesty,
King Louis of France:

"Out of love for my royal brother, King Louis, and for the purpose of
maintaining the peace and amity now existing between the glorious realms
of England and France, I accept his Majesty's offer to purchase the
city of Dunkirk, communicated to me at this morning's audience. You will
therefore place in the hands of the bearer, Baron Clyde, two copies of a
treaty consummating this transaction which I understand you have already
written out. With said copies you will also place a bill drawn in the
sum of one hundred thousand pounds on one, Edward Backwell, goldsmith,
Lombard Street, with whom I am told the funds lie, and for which this
writing shall be your full acquittance.

"The treaties shall be fully executed by you on the part of your master,
in accordance with the terms of your instrument of authority now resting
with my Lord Chancellor. When said treaties and said bill come to me, the
treaties will be signed, and the copy intended for your master will be
returned to you this evening so that you may carry out your instructions
by leaving at dawn tomorrow morning. To the which I give my reluctant
consent and request that you leave England without further ceremony,