swear to you that I was not," whispered Robin instantly and eagerly,
thinking he saw a loophole.

"Well, then, at Chalons, or Douay: it matters not where. That is not our
affair to-day. All that will be dealt with before my lords at the
Assizes. But what we must have from you now is your answer to some other
questions."

"Assuming me to be a priest?"

"Mr. Alban, I will talk no more on that point. I tell you we know it.
But we must have answers on other points. I will come back to Merton
presently. These are the questions. I will read them through to you.
Then we will deal with them one by one."

There was the rustle of a paper. An extraordinary desire for sleep came
down on the priest; it was only by twitching his head a little, and
causing himself acute shoots of pain in his neck that he could keep
himself awake. He knew that he must not let his attention wander again.
He remembered clearly how that Father Campion was dead, and that
Marjorie could not have been here just now.... He must take great care
not to become so much confused again.

* * * * *

"The first question," read the voice slowly, "is, Whether you have said
mass in other places beside Padley and the manor at Booth's Edge. We
know that you must have done so; but we must have the names of the
places, and of the parties present, so far as you can remember them.

"The second question is, the names of all those other priests with whom
you have spoken in England, since you came from Rheims; and the names of
all other students, not yet priests, or scarcely, whom you knew at
Rheims, and who are for England.

"The third question is, the names of all those whom you know to be
friends of Mr. John FitzHerbert, Mr. Bassett and Mr. Fenton--not being
priests; but Papists.

"These three questions will do as a beginning. When you have answered
these, there is a number more. Now, sir."

The last two words were rapped out sharply. Robin opened his eyes.

"As to the first two questions," he whispered. "These assume that I am
a priest myself. Yet that is what you, have to prove against me. The
third question concerns ... concerns my loyalty to my friends. But I
will tell you--"

"Yes?" (The voice was sharp and eager.)

"I will tell you the names of two friends of each of those gentlemen you
have named."

A pen suddenly scratched on paper. He could not see who held it.

"Yes?" said the voice again.

"Well, sir. The names of