o
haunt it. However, on sitting up, and more perfectly recovering his
senses, he perceived that the speakers were real personages in close
proximity to him. Although a gleam or two of light came through a
partition which separated him from the room where he supposed them to
be, he was unable to find any chink or opening through which he could
observe what the speakers were about. As he had not been placed there
intentionally for the purpose of hearing the conversation, he did not
feel that he was guilty of eavesdropping, or that it was his duty to
refrain from listening to what was spoken. There appeared to be a
number of persons collected together, two or three of whom took the lead
among the others.

"My friends, I have to thank you for meeting me here to-night," were the
first words Jack heard uttered. "We have an important object to carry
out, and it requires all the nerve and courage we possess to ensure its
success. We have a rightful cause, and that should strengthen our arms
for any deed which may be necessary. Remember we are not acting for
ourselves, but under the full authority and sanction of our lawful
sovereign, King James. It becomes necessary for his interests, and for
our own, and for that of all England, and moreover for that of the only
true and pure faith, which we profess--the faith of Rome--that the
Usurper should be removed. You perceive, then, that we lift the
responsibility off our own shoulders upon those who give us authority to
act. I should be myself ever far from advocating assassination, or any
other unlawful way of getting rid of a rival, but in this instance it
seems that no other mode presents itself. I hope, then, that you are
prepared to go through with the plan I have to propose, by whatever way
it is to be carried out, or whatever may be the consequences."

"Yes, yes, we are all prepared!" exclaimed several persons.

"Stay, friends!" cried another; "say not that all are prepared. We are
all ready to draw our swords in a lawful quarrel and in an open manner,
such as true soldiers may fight for, but there are other ways at which
Sir George has hinted, and it may be that some of them are not such as
honourable men would desire to engage in."

"What mean you, Captain?" exclaimed the first speaker. "Do you dare to
affirm that I propose any scheme which is not honourable and lawful?
Whatever I do, or whatever I say, I act under the authority of my true
and only sovereign,