eplied Cecil, "yet they fear to bite the hand which stung them."

Monteagle frowned, for the words of the Prime Minister were not to his
liking.

"There is more," said he; "certain of those have been seen in France."

"'Tis a most Catholic country," replied Salisbury, "and, perhaps,
wishing to worship unmolested before their altars, some have gone
thither for their religion's sake."

"My lord!" cried Monteagle, perceiving the Minister was in a mood for
jesting, "hast thou had no fear that some hidden danger might lurk
beneath the calm exterior of the peace which covers England? Do not
smile, but hear me. Thou knowest the Viscount Effingston is in France,
at the Court of Henry, and hath mingled much with some who are close
to the throne. Perhaps it may not have reached thine ears that some
months back a bloodless duel was fought between him and one Sir Thomas
Winter, a zealous Catholic and enemy to the King."

"Ah!" broke in Salisbury, "thy speech grows interesting; and what
brought about this duel?"

"'Twas an insult cast upon me by this Winter," replied Monteagle.
"Effingston chancing to hear, resented it, and an exchange of sword
thrusts followed; but that is past. As I told thee this morning I
received a letter from Paris in which the Viscount says he hath met
this Winter and another, a soldier of the commoners, and----"

"A second duel hath followed?" interrupted the Minister.

"Not so," replied the other, "but being suspicious of the fellows, my
son did set a spy upon them, feeling sure that no honest errand took
them into France."

"And what did he discover?" asked Salisbury.

"That Winter and his companion sought many times audiences with
certain high churchmen known to be enemies of England. Once, he
chanced to meet them upon the street, when Winter flushed a scarlet
and hastily passed. After this he learned that two Englishmen, one a
soldier who had served the King of Spain, gained the ear of certain
prelates and noblemen; that their conferences had been conducted with
much secrecy, and having finished, the men left Paris in the night,
taking poste for Calais."

"And what then?" asked Salisbury, "did thy son learn anything
concerning those secret conferences?"

"No way was open to him," answered Monteagle, "but he thought it best
to lay the matter before me; the more so that Winter and the other
have returned to London."

The Prime Minister pondered for a moment. "Faith! my lord!" said he,
"thy