work, and we think you would
answer."

"What piece of work?--and who are `we'?" I asked, turning over some
views of Rome with very little notion what they were.

"`We' are Colonel Keith, Raymond, and myself."

"And what `piece of work'?" I asked again.

"To attempt the rescue of Angus."

"How?--what am I to do?"

"Did you ever try to personate anybody?"

"Well, we used to act little pieces sometimes at Carlisle, I and the
Grandison girls and Lucretia Carnwath. There has never been anything of
the sort here."

"Did they think you did it well?"

"Lucretia Carnwath and Diana Grandison were thought the best performers;
but once they said I made a capital housemaid."

"Were you ever a laundress?"

"No, but I dare say I could have managed it."

"Are you willing to try?"

"I am ready to do anything, if it will help Angus. I don't see at
present how my playing the laundress is to do that."

"You will not play it on a mock stage in a drawing-room, but in reality.
Neither you nor I are to do the hardest part of the work; Colonel Keith
takes that."

"What have I to do?"

"To carry a basket of clothes into the prison, and bring it out again."

"I hope Angus will not be in the basket," said I, trying to smother my
laughter; "I could not carry him."

"Oh, no," replied Ephraim, laughing too. "Now listen."

"I am all attention," said I.

"Next Tuesday evening, about nine o'clock, slip out of this room, and
throw a large cloak over your dress--one that will quite hide you. You
will find me at the foot of the back-stairs. We shall go out of the
back-door, and get to Raymond's house. A lady, whom you will find
there, will help you to put on the dress which is prepared. Then you
and I (who are brother and sister, if you please) will carry the basket
to the prison. Just before reaching it, I shall pretend to hear
something, and run off to see what is the matter. You will be left
alone (in appearance), and will call after me in vain, and abuse me
roundly when I do not return, declaring that you cannot possibly carry
that heavy basket in alone. Then, but not before, you will descry a
certain William standing close by,--who will be Colonel Keith,--and
showing surprise at seeing him there, will ask him to help you with the
basket. He and you will carry the basket into the prison, and you will
stand waiting a little while, during which time he will (with the
connivance of a warder in our pay) visit Angus'