glad to be able to say truthfully that the earl knew nothing
of his being there, he having sent him simply to assist the Count of
Cifuentes in barring the advance of the French army into Catalonia, and
that when he had carried out that order he had ridden into Arragon on
his own account, in order that he might, on his return to the earl, be
able to give him an accurate description of the state of affairs in that
province.

"Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough
is still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province at
present."

"I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no
intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally taken
instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should be sorry
to assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of an hour after
I quitted the city."

"It matters little," the duke said, "the affair is rapidly approaching
an end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and the Duke de
Noailles appear before it; the breaches are open, and there are not
a thousand men in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, the cause of the
Austrian is lost. Your general is already watched by an army four times
as strong as his own, and the twenty thousand men under the marshal will
compel him to take to his ships, and will stamp out the last embers
of the insurrection. You agree with me, do you not?" he asked as Jack
remained silent.

"Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only to
reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. What he
will do I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, I can say that
he will give you trouble. I don't think that anything can be considered
as a certainty in which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon
with."

"He is a great man," the duke said--"a great man, and has performed
marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities which one man can
perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall give orders, Captain
Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as little disagreeable as
possible, and that you have everything you require."

Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he was again
taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his troopers, and was
conducted by him to the citadel.

The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. A good
meal was placed before him, and after he had finished it the gover