his girl, who--"

"No, no! Say no more!" cried Mr. Caryll, his voice trembling.

"You will do it," said Sir Richard, between question and assertion.

"If Heaven lends me strength of purpose. But it asks much," was the
gloomy answer. "I am to see Lord Ostermore to-morrow to obtain his
answer to King James' letter."

Sir Richard's eyes gleamed. He released the other's hands, and turned
slowly to his chair again. "It is well," he said slowly. "The thing asks
dispatch, or else some of his majesty's real friends may be involved."

He proceeded to explain his words. "I have talked in vain with
Atterbury. He will not abandon the enterprise even at King James'
commands. He urges that his majesty can have no conception of how the
matter is advanced; that he has been laboring like Hercules, and that
the party is being swelled by men of weight and substance every day;
that it is too late to go back, and that he will go forward with
the king's consent or without it. Should he or his agents approach
Ostermore, in the meantime, it will be too late for us to take such
measures as we have concerted. For to deliver up Ostermore then would
entail the betrayal of others, which is not to be dreamt of. So you'll
use dispatch."

"If I do the thing at all, it shall be done to-morrow," answered Mr.
Caryll.

"If at all?" cried Sir Richard, frowning again. "If at all?"

Caryll turned to him. He crossed to the table, and leaning across it,
until his face was quite close to his adoptive father's. "Sir Richard,"
he begged, "let us say no more to-night. My will is all to do the thing.
It is my--my instincts that rebel. I think that the day will be carried
by my will. I shall strive to that end, believe me. But let us say no
more now."

Sir Richard, looking deep into Mr. Caryll's eyes, was touched by
something that he saw. "My poor Justin!" he said gently. Then, checking
the sympathy as swiftly as it rose: "So be it, then," he said briskly.
"You'll come to me to-morrow after you have seen his lordship?"

"Will you not remain here?"

"You have not the room. Besides, Sir Richard Everard--is too well known
for a Jacobite to be observed sharing your lodging. I have no right at
all in England, and there is always the chance of my being discovered.
I would not pull you down with me. I am lodged at the corner of Maiden
Lane, next door to the sign of Golden Flitch. Come to me there to-morrow
after you have seen Lord Ostermore." He hesitated a mo