f his own he was holding my
betrayal in abeyance. He was Falconnet's successor and my rival. This
little reptile aspired to be the master of my father's acres and the
husband of my dear lady! And his holding off from denouncing me at once
was also explained. Taking it for granted that the wife would bargain
for the husband's life, he had made a whip of his leniency to flog
Margery into subjection.

My determination was taken upon the instant. There was no safety for
Margery whilst this plotting pettifogger was at large, and I stepped to
the door and called the sentry. The Darmstaedter came back and I pointed
to the lawyer. Then, indeed, the furious little madman found his tongue
and shrilled out his defiance.

"Curse you!" he yelled. "I'll be quits with you for this, Master Spy!
'Tis your hearing now, but mine will come, and you shall hang like a
dog! I'll follow you to the ends of the earth--I'll--"

I made a sign and the soldier brought his musket into play and pricked
his prisoner with the bayonet in token that time pressed. So we were rid
of the lawyer in bodily presence, though I could hear his snarlings and
spittings as the big Darmstaedter ran him out at the bayonet's point.

During this tilt between his factor and me, Mr. Gilbert Stair had stood
apart, watchful but trembling. When we were alone I said:

"Now, Mr. Stair, I shall trouble you to billet me somewhere in your
house, as a member of my Lord's family. Lead on, if you please, and I'll
follow."

He went before me without a word, out of the little den and up the broad
stair, doddering like a man grown ten years older in a breath, and
catching at the balustrade to steady himself as we ascended. The room he
gave me was at an angle in one of the crookings of the corridor, and
pointing me to the door he went pottering away, still without a word or
a look behind him.

The door was on the latch, but it gave reluctantly, letting me in
suddenly when I set my shoulder to it. There was a quick little cry,
half of anger, half of affright, from within. I drew back hastily, with
a muttered curse upon the old man's spite, and in the act my spur caught
the door and slammed it shut behind me.

For reasons known only to Omniscience and to himself, Gilbert Stair had
shown me to my lady's chamber; she was standing, with her bodice off,
before the oval mirror on the high dressing case.

XXXVI

HOW I RODE POST ON THE KING'S BUSINESS

If a look might be a l