ildly, "were it necessary. Fortunately for us all, it is not
necessary. Still I must provide against your immediate return, against
immediate action on your part. I must see that the movement which will
die in your absence is not revived by any word from you, or by tidings
of you! To that end, gentlemen, I must put you to the inconvenience of
a prolonged sea-voyage."

"If I could speak with you in private?" the Bishop said.

"You will have every opportunity," Colonel John answered, smiling, "of
speaking to Captain Augustin in private."

"Still, sir, if I could see you alone I think I could convince you----"

"You shall have every opportunity of convincing Captain Augustin,"
Colonel John returned, smiling more broadly, "and of convincing him by
the same means which I venture to think, reverend sir, you would employ
with me. To be plain, he will take you to sea for a certain period, and
at the end of that time, if your arguments are sufficiently weighty, he
will land you at a convenient harbour on the French shore. He will be
at the loss of his cargo, and that loss I fear you will have to make
good. Something, too, he may charge by way of interest, and for your
passage." By this time the sailors were on the broad grin. "A trifle,
perhaps, for landing dues. But I have spoken with him to be moderate,
and I doubt not that within a few weeks you, Admiral Cammock, will be
with your command, and the reverend father will be pursuing his calling
in another place."

For a moment there was silence, save for a titter from the group of
seamen. Then Cammock laughed--a curt, barking laugh. "A bite!" he said.
"A d----d bite! If I can ever repay it, sir, I will! Be sure of that!"

Colonel John bowed courteously.

The Bishop took it otherwise. The veins on his forehead swelled, and he
had much ado to control himself. The truth was, he feared ridicule more
than he feared danger, perhaps more than he feared death; and such an
end to such an enterprise was hard to bear. To have set forth to raise
the south of Ireland, to have undertaken a diversion that would never
be forgotten, that, on the contrary, would be marked by historians as a
main factor in the restoration of the house of Stuart--to have embarked
on such an enterprise and to be deported like any troublesome villager
delivered to the pressgang for his hamlet's good! To end thus! It was
too much.

"Is there no alternative?" he asked, barely able to speak for the
chagrin that