ebrows.

"Not me, Sire," said Candlish. "I can't disguise myself. I'm stamped by
nature for the paths of virtue."

"It would be a good thing," said Falk, "if we could get some Western
carrier."

"The Western carriers are all watched," Lane replied. "They are
followed, wherever they go, as on as they arrive at their inns here."

"Haven't you found some more gipsies, Falk?" Candlish asked. "The last
gipsy we had was very good."

"He was caught by a press-gang," said Falk, "Gipsies aren't to be
trusted, though. They would sell us at once if they had the chance.
Ramon was an exception."

Mr. Jermyn had risen at the Duke's last speech as though to put on
his coat, ready to leave the house.. The Duke was listening to the
conversation, making 'idle sketches, as he listened, on the paper before
him, I think I hardly realised, as I craned over the open space, that
I had been listening to a conversation which would have condemned all
present to death for treason. I repeated to myself, in a dazed sort of
way, that the West was ready to rise. "King James is an usurper," I said
softly. "These men are going to rebel against him. There's going to be
a civil war in England about it." I had hardly repeated this to myself,
when it came over me with a shock that I was in terrible personal
danger. The men were just leaving the house. They would probably look
up, on leaving, to see what sort of a night it was. They would see my
wonderful bridge. It would be all over with me then. I was so I could
hardly stand up. I took a few cautious steps towards the door, saying
to myself that I would never again be disobedient if I might escape this
once. I was at the door, just about to open it, when I heard a step upon
the landing just outside, coming towards me. I gave up hope then; but I
had just sense enough to step to my left, so that, when the door should
open (if the stranger entered) it might, possibly, screen me from him.
Then I heard the Duke's voice from down below calling to Mr. Jermyn.

"Jermyn," he called. "Bring down my books, will you. They're on my bed.
What are you doing up there?"

"Just seeing to the ghosts, your Majesty. I won't keep you waiting."

"I'll come, too," he answered. "I'd like to see your ghosts again." Then
I heard Mr. Jermyn loitering at the stair-head while the Duke left the
council-room. My hair was rising on my scalp; there was cold sweat on my
forehead; it was as much as I could do to keep my teeth from