longer seemed such fearful things, those grim barrels of harmless
looking black grains, which might lie harmless for centuries, as they
had seen them, or, at the touch of a single tiny spark, shake London
as by an earthquake, vacate a royal throne, and exterminate in an
instant the proudest government in Europe. Percy, of more gentle
disposition than his companion, gazed into the face of Guido Fawkes
with a feeling akin to awe. His was the brain which had suggested this
terrific method for the destruction of the King and Parliament; his
the voice that had pronounced the words which laid bare the plan to
Catesby, Winter and the others. If Fawkes had never come from Spain,
perhaps----, but the subject of his gloomy thoughts was speaking in
reply to a question put by Sir Thomas.

"Thou hast noted," said he, "that this dwelling lieth close to the
river; so, 'twill be no great matter to remove the barrels from the
cellar to the deck of a boat lashed beneath the window, and, if a dark
night be chosen for the work, none, I warrant, will perceive the
matter. What sayest thou, friend Robert?"

"That there is much of wisdom in thy speech," replied the other; "and
once upon the boat, the channel to the sea, where will lie thy Spanish
galley, is open. When, thinkest thou, the powder will be moved?"

"I know not," replied Fawkes, sharply,--"in due time----" Then,
turning to his companions: "Gentlemen, having seen that which lies
below, what may be your pleasure?"

"To return quickly," replied Percy, relieved at the thought of
escaping from such an ill-favored locality.

Keyes chuckled. "Thou art in haste to quit my presence, and my pretty
devil's powder, good gentlemen," said he; "didst sleep so near as we,
perchance you would come to love it as Master Fawkes and I do. One
spark from this weak lantern, and----"

"Come!" cried Percy, drawing his arm through that of Winter,--"we are
satisfied; what need to tarry longer?"

In the street once more they, with Fawkes leading, hastened to gain a
more populous section of the city. 'Twas to Winter's house they went,
where Catesby was waiting impatiently. He, with Fawkes, had visited
the house by the river on the night previous, therefore he fell into
their discussion with good knowledge of the subject in hand.

"Thou shouldst have been a general," said he to Fawkes; "it scarce
comes to me how so goodly a quantity of powder could be stored in
yonder place without detection."

"'Twa