story by
leaving a dead king."

"In which case the English people would hang us and then bless us. It is
their fashion. We should be as immortal as Guy Fawkes," I answered;
laughing to keep my courage up.

George stood in revery for a moment and answered as if he were speaking
to himself:--

"But what will happen if we are overpowered in the king's closet? He
always keeps a ruffian guard in his ante-chamber."

"In that sad case, Frances must kill herself and we shall die fighting
unless we preferred Tyburn Hill a day or two later," I answered. "It is
all as plain as day. Why do you not forget that failure is possible? I
have never known you to stand in doubt; why do it now on the eve of
victory?"

"Frances! Frances! Frances! She is why I stand in doubt. My own life is
not worth a farthing, but I have no right to bring her into this
frightful peril."

"She has no fear, and the sooner you drive it out of your heart the
better it will be for our cause."

"I suppose you are right, Baron Ned," he responded with a sigh; "if we go
at this without fear or doubt we can't fail. Go ahead, my friend. May God
forgive us if we are wrong and help us in any case." And I left him
hurriedly, lest I should be infected with his deadly fear.

I next saw Betty, much to my delight, and of course she was eager to help
us.

"Know the river?" she exclaimed, in answer to my question. "I know it as
well as I know Gracious Street. I have shot the arches of London Bridge
with the spring tide going out, and there is many a waterman who would
not dare try it. If need be, I'll take you through the middle arch, where
the flambeau hangs, and land you at Deptford or Sheerness, or Holland, I
care not which." So there was no fear in her heart. If courage was the
touchstone of fortune, we were sure to win, for there was no fear in any
heart save George's, and ordinarily he was the bravest of us all.

When all arrangements were made, even to engaging a small boat, which was
to wait for us at Westminster stairs, I took to my bed for the rest of
the day. At six o'clock I received the treaties and the bill of exchange
from Hamilton and delivered them to Frances. Then I went to fetch
Bettina.

Grammont had offered to go with us, when we explained what we were to do
and the danger in doing it, and we were glad to have him and his sword,
for we might find ourselves in straits where we should need both. He and
Hamilton were to meet me at the head of K