e
employed, and every line breathed the full measure of his lordship's
treason and betrays the existence of a plot.

Mr. Caryll returned it. His countenance was grave.

"I desire his majesty to know how whole-heartedly I belong to him."

"'Twere best destroyed, I think. You can write another when the time
comes to dispatch it."

But Ostermore was never one to take sensible advice. "Pooh! 'Twill be
safe in here. 'Tis a secret known to none." He dropped it, together with
King James' letter, back into the recess, snapped down the trap, and
replaced the drawer. Whereupon Mr. Caryll took his leave, promising to
advise his lordship of whatever he might glean, and so departed from
Stretton House.

My Lord Rotherby, meanwhile, was very diligent in the business upon
which he was intent. He had received in his interview with Hortensia
an added spur to such action as might be scatheful to Mr. Caryll. His
lordship was lodged in Portugal Row, within a stone's throw of his
father's house, and there, on that same evening of his moving thither,
he had Mr. Green to see him, desiring news.

Mr. Green had little to impart, but strong hope of much to be garnered
presently. His little eyes twinkling, his chubby face suffused in
smiles, as though it were an excellent jest to be hunting knowledge that
should hang a man, the spy assured Lord Rotherby that there was little
doubt Mr. Caryll could be implicated as soon as he was about again.

"And that's the reason--after your lordship's own express wishes--why
so far I have let Sir Richard Everard be. It may come to trouble for me
with my Lord Carteret should it be smoked that I have been silent on the
matters within my knowledge. But--"

"Oh, a plague on that!" said his lordship. "You'll be well paid for your
services when you've rendered them. And, meanwhile, I understand that
not another soul in London--that is, on the side of the government--is
aware of Sir Richard's presence in town. So where is your danger?"

"True," said Mr. Green, plump hand caressing plumper chin. "Had it
not been so, I should have been forced to apply to the secretary for a
warrant before this."

"Then you'll wait," said his lordship, "and you'll act as I may direct
you. It will be to your credit in the end. Wait until Caryll has
enmeshed himself by frequent visits to Sir Richard's. Then get your
warrant--when I give the word--and execute it one fine night when Caryll
happens to be closeted with Everard.