im, or hear any news except that he was in good health
and spirits, and was lodged in a private cell.

Then suddenly one afternoon a small piece of news arrived from Mr.
Herries to the effect that Cromwell was to be attainted; and anxiety
became intense as to whether Ralph would be included. Sir James could
eat nothing at supper, but sat crumbling his bread, while Beatrice
talked almost feverishly in an attempt to distract him. Finally he rose
and went out, and the others sat on, eyeing one another, anxious and
miserable.

In desperation Nicholas began to talk of his visit to the Tower, of the
Lieutenant's timidity, and his own insistence; and they noticed nothing,
till the door was flung open, and the old man stood there, his eyes
bright and his lips trembling with hope. He held a scrap of paper in his
hand.

"Listen," he cried as the others sprang to their feet.

"A fellow has just come from Mr. Herries with this"--he lifted the paper
and read,--"Mr. Torridon's name is not in the bill. I will be with you
to-morrow."

"Thank God!" said Chris.

* * * * *

There was another long discussion the following morning. Mr. Herries
arrived about ten o'clock to certify his news; and the four sat till
dinner once again, talking and planning. There was not the same
desperate hurry now; the first danger was passed.

There was only one thing that the lawyer could do, and that was to
repeat his advice to seek the intercession of the Archbishop. He
observed again that while Cranmer had the friendship of the fallen
minister, he had not in any sense been involved in his fall; he was
still powerful with the King, and of considerable weight with the
Council in consequence. He was likely therefore to be both able and
willing to speak on behalf of Cromwell's agent.

"But I would advise nothing to be done until the bill of attainder has
come before Parliament. We do not know yet how far Mr. Torridon's action
has affected the evidence. From what you say, gentlemen, and from what I
have heard elsewhere, I should think that the papers Mr. Torridon
destroyed are not essential to a conviction. My Lord's papers at his own
house are sufficient."

But they had some difficulty in persuading Sir James to consent to ask a
favour of the Archbishop. In his eyes, Cranmer was beyond the pale of
decency; he had lived with two women, said the old man, whom he called
his wives, although as a priest he was incapable o