r and politics. I'm for the simple right or wrong of
things. I say it's wrong for King George the First to be on the throne,
so I shall not stick at trifles in fighting for the right."

"Well, if you talk like that in a place where they say that walls have
ears, you'll soon save me the trouble and pain of speaking."

"There was no one to hear but you, and you're safe," said Andrew,
laughing. "Brothers don't betray brothers, for one thing; and you know
what I told you last night. If you were to betray us, your life would
not be safe for a day."

"Pish!"

"Oh, you take it that way, do you? You think you are safe because you
are here in the Palace, surrounded by guards. Now, I'll tell you
something that you don't know. You believe that I am the only one here
who is ready to throw up his hat and draw his sword for the King."

"Yes, and I'm right."

"Only ignorant, Frank, my boy. Now listen. We Jacobites have people
everywhere ready to strike when the time comes. Here in this Palace we
have ladies and gentlemen forced to keep silence for the present, but
who will be in ecstasies as soon as they know the good news Mr Selby
gave me last night. Why, the King's and Prince's households contain
some of our staunchest people; and if you like to go lower, there are
plenty of us even among the Royal Guards. Now, what do you say to
that?"

"It can't be true."

"Very well; I shan't quarrel with your ignorance. But look here, Frank;
take my advice: Don't you do anything foolish, for so sure as you betray
any secret you possess there will be hundreds of hands against you--yes,
boy as you are, and unimportant as you think yourself. If you breathe a
word, it is not merely against me, but against the safety of scores
here; and to save themselves one or the other will send his sword
through you at the first opportunity, wipe it, put it back in its
sheath, and walk away. No one would be the wiser, and poor Frank Gowan,
of whom his mother and father are so proud, would lie dead, while I
should have lost the friend for whom I care more than for any one I ever
met."

"You don't; it isn't true," cried Frank. "If it were, you would not
have led me into this scrape."

"Yes, I should. I tell you that you will thank me some day."

"For making me a traitor?"

"Nonsense! Who can be a traitor who fights for his rightful king?
There, let's leave it now. You have been brought into the right way,
and you are ready to figh