e posted in
every thoroughfare of the metropolis, and circulated in every great city
of the provinces and populous district of labour.

"And now," said Gerard, "I shall to-morrow to the north, where I am
wanted. But before I go I propose, as suggested yesterday, that we five
together with Langley, whom I counted on seeing here to-night, now
form ourselves into a committee for arming the people. Three of us are
permanent in London; Wilkins and myself will aid you in the provinces.
Nothing can be decided on this head till we see Langley, who will make
a communication from Birmingham that cannot be trusted to writing. The
seven o'clock train must have long since arrived. He is now a good hour
behind his time."

"I hear foot-steps," said Maclast.

"He comes," said Gerard.

The door of the chamber opened and a woman entered. Pale, agitated,
exhausted, she advanced to them in the glimmering light.

"What is this?" said several of the council.

"Sybil!" exclaimed the astonished Gerard, and he rose from his seat.

She caught the arm of her father, and leant on him for a moment in
silence. Then looking up with an expression that seemed to indicate she
was rallying her last energies, she said, in a voice low yet so distinct
that it reached the ear of all present, "There is not an instant to
lose: fly!"

The men rose hastily from their seats; they approached the messenger
of danger; Gerard waved them off, for he perceived his daughter was
sinking. Gently he placed her in his chair; she was sensible, for she
grasped his arm, and she murmured--still she murmured--"fly!"

"'Tis very strange," said Maclast.

"I feel queer!" said the thickset man.

"Methinks she looks like a heavenly messenger," said Wilkins. "I had
no idea that earth had anything so fair," said the youthful scribe of
proclamations.

"Hush friends!" said Gerard: and then he bent over Sybil and said in a
low soothing voice, "Tell me, my child, what is it?"

She looked up to her father; a glance as it were of devotion and
despair: her lips moved, but they refused their office and expressed no
words. There was a deep silence in the room.

"She is gone," said her father.

"Water," said the young man, and he hurried away to obtain some.

"I feel queer," said his thickset colleague to Maclast.

"I will answer for Langley as for myself." said Maclast; "and there is
not another human being aware of our purpose."

"Except Morley."

"Yes: except Morley.