old tone, sir," said he, "a very bold tone!"

"Boldness is the attribute next to knowledge most essential to my
calling," Mr. Caryll reminded him.

His lordship's eye fell before the other's cold glance, and again he
lapsed into thoughtfulness, his cheek now upon his hand. Suddenly he
looked up again. "Tell me," said he. "Who else is in this thing? Men say
that Atterbury is not above suspicion. Is it--"

Mr. Caryll bent forward to tap the king's letter with a rigid
forefinger. "When your lordship tells me that you are ready to concert
upon embarking your fortunes in this bottom, you shall find me disposed,
perhaps, to answer questions concerning others. Meanwhile, our concern
is with yourself."

"Dons and the devil!" swore his lordship angrily. "Is this a way to
speak to me?" He scowled at the agent. "Tell me, my fine fellow, what
would happen if I were to lay this letter you have brought me before the
nearest justice?"

"I cannot say for sure," answered Mr. Caryll quietly, "but it is very
probable it would help your lordship to the gallows. For if you will
give yourself the trouble of reading it again--and more carefully--you
will see that it makes acknowledgment of the offer of services you wrote
his majesty a month or so ago."

His lordship's eyes dropped to the letter again. He caught his breath in
sudden fear.

"Were I your lordship, I should leave the nearest justice to enjoy his
dinner in peace," said Mr. Caryll, smiling.

His lordship laughed in a sickly manner. He felt foolish--a rare
condition in him, as in most fools. "Well, well," said he gruffly. "The
matter needs reflection. It needs reflection."

Behind them the door opened noiselessly, and her ladyship appeared in
cloak and wimple. She paused there, unperceived by either, arrested by
the words she had caught, and waiting in the hope of hearing more.

"I must sleep on't, at least," his lordship was continuing. "'Tis too
grave a matter to be determined thus in haste."

A faint sound caught the keen ears of Mr. Caryll. He turned with
a leisureliness that bore witness to his miraculous self-control.
Perceiving the countess, he bowed, and casually put his lordship on his
guard.

"Ah!" said he. "Here is her ladyship returned."

Lord Ostermore gasped audibly and swung round in an alarm than which
nothing could have betrayed him more effectively. "My--my love!" he
cried, stammering, and by his wild haste to conceal the letter that he
held, drew