go to learn."

"I will come with you, then."

He hesitated a moment, looking at her; then he opened the door, and
held it for her, following after. He led the way across the hall to the
library, and they went in together.

Lord Ostermore's secretaire stood open, and leaning over it, his back
towards them was a short, stiffly-built man in a snuff-colored coat.
He turned at the sound of the closing door, and revealed the pleasant,
chubby face of Mr. Green.

"Ha!" said Mr. Caryll. "Mr. Green again. I declare, sir, ye've the gift
of ubiquity."

The spy stood up to regard him, and for all that his voice inclined
to sharpness when he spoke, the habitual grin sat like a mask upon the
mobile features. "What d'ye seek here?"

"Tis what I was about to ask you--what you are seeking; for that you
seek is plain. I thought perhaps I might assist you."

"I nothing doubt you could," answered Mr. Green with a fresh leer, that
contained this time something ironic. "I nothing doubt it! But by your
leave, I'll pursue my quest without your assistance."

Mr. Caryll continued, nevertheless, to advance towards him, Mistress
Hortensia remaining in the background, a quiet spectator, betraying
nothing of the anxieties by which she was being racked.

"Ye're mighty curt this morning, Mr. Green," said Mr. Caryll, very airy.
"Ye're mighty curt, and ye're entirely wrong so to be. You might find me
a very useful friend."

"I've found you so before," said Mr. Green sourly.

"Ye've a nice sense of humor," said Mr. Caryll, head on one side,
contemplating the spy with admiration in his glance.

"And a nicer sense of a Jacobite," answered Mr. Green.

"He will have the last word, you perceive," said Mr. Caryll to
Hortensia.

"Harkee, Mr. Caryll," quoth Mr. Green, quite grimly now. "I'd ha' laid
you by the heels a month or more ago, but for certain friends o' mine
who have other ends to serve."

"Sir, what you tell me shocks me. It shakes the very foundations of my
faith in human nature. I have esteemed you an honest man, Mr. Green,
and it seems--on your own confessing--that ye're no better than a
damned rogue who neglects his duty to the state. I've a mind to see Lord
Carteret, and tell him the truth of the matter."

"Ye shall have an opportunity before long, ecod!" said Mr. Green.
"Good-morning to you! I've work to do." And he turned back to the desk.

"'Tis wasted labor," said Mr. Caryll, producing his snuff-box, and
tapping it. "You