ween the lines, and bringing all his wit to bear upon the
meaning. Then, as it was his custom to work quietly and without haste,
for six days he held the document before making it known to the King.

James was at first alarmed, but upon perceiving that the Minister
retained his calmness, he put aside his fears and questioned
Salisbury closely concerning the meaning of the strange warning. In
the latter's mind was no thought of arousing James to hasty action,
for, if in truth a plot was brewing, too sudden a movement on the part
of the government would warn those engaged in it, and only postpone
the culmination to a more favorable opportunity. Following this line
of thought the Prime Minister calmed the sovereign's fears, and the
King, trusting to the prudence and shrewdness of his chief counselor,
dismissed the matter with a jest.

Report, indeed, reached the ears of Winter, Catesby and others of the
conspirators, that Lord Monteagle had been warned to absent himself
from Parliament on the opening day. They were alarmed for a time, and
sought solution of the problem, wishing to know who had played the
traitor. Suspicion pointed to one Francis Tresham, whose sister had
married Monteagle, and who, naturally, would seek to save his
brother-in-law. But as Tresham denied all knowledge of the matter, the
government made no move, and even Salisbury, usually alert, remained
inactive. After a week of uncertainty, the conspirators again gathered
their forces and the plot against the King and Parliament continued to
ripen. Fawkes, beyond all others, became more reckless.

"Should all else fail," said he, "I remain firm; and at the end will
kill this King even, if needful, in the royal bedchamber."

CHAPTER XX.

ON THE STROKE OF ELEVEN.

"What, my daughter, up at this late hour!" exclaimed Fawkes, as he
entered the room where Elinor sat. "I had deemed thee long abed."

The man threw himself into a chair by the fire with an air of fatigue,
and sat in moody silence. The girl glanced up; then arising, passed
over to him and lightly kissed his brow. The caress did not meet with
any response; in fact, he seemed scarcely conscious of it, and after a
moment's hesitation, Elinor resumed her seat.

She had led a strange existence for the past eight months;--ever
waiting, ever dreading, and as yet nothing had occurred. To her this
period had been one of breathless suspense, like the moment before the
storm, when trees hang l