rved Sir George; "and I feel very
sure, that as soon as the signal I have spoken of is given, we shall
have hundreds like yourselves flocking to the royal standard."

"But what is to be that signal, may I ask?" inquired another, who had
not before spoken. "I am willing to draw my sword at the command of the
King, but I never like to take a leap in the dark, and am better pleased
when all matters are explained clearly beforehand."

"It is not usual for a general to give a sketch of his campaign to his
subordinates," answered Sir George, in a haughty tone. "There are
certain matters of which it is better that as few as possible should be
informed. I trust that this reply will satisfy you."

"It must, by my faith!" mattered the old officer; "but, for my part, I
have no taste for these secret plots; I would rather a band of brave
fellows had been collected together, and that King James's standard had
been raised, and that then we had marched through the country, gathering
strength in our progress."

"To be cut to pieces by Dutch William's soldiers, or to be surrounded
and strung up like foot-pads!" observed another speaker.

"There are difficulties in our way, but they are such as brave men will
gladly encounter."

Such was the strain in which the conversation continued. As yet nothing
was said which might lead Jack to suppose that any immediate outbreak
was likely to occur. Yet his suspicions were aroused, and he could not
help fancying that the voice of the speaker who was addressed as "Sir
George" was very like that of Long Sam. If so, he felt that he himself
would be in some way implicated in the plot.

At length the party appeared to be breaking up, and most of the persons
who had formed it took their departure. Still some remained; and at
length he heard the door bolted and barred behind those who had gone
out. Those who remained poked up the fire and drew their chairs round
it.

"All will go well!" exclaimed the person who had been addressed as "Sir
George."

"And now let us see to the more important part of our work. While Dutch
William lives, or at all events is at liberty, King James will not move
from his present position, and even the King of France cannot beard the
lion in his den. As long as the Protestants have a leader they will be
united, and a rising of the adherents of King James will be hopeless;
but once let the head of William be laid low, and before they have time
to make arrangem