n
which at the same time started from and explained much that had been
mysterious in Richard's ways of late. "You had knowledge of this
conspiracy," she pursued, answering her own question before he had time
to speak, "because you were one of the conspirators."

"At least I am so no longer," he blurted out. "I thank Heaven for that,
Richard; for your life is very dear to me. But it would ill become you
to make such use as this of the knowledge you came by in that manner.
It were a Judas's act." He would have interrupted her, but her manner
dominated him. "You will leave this letter with me, Richard," she
continued.

"Damn me! no..." he began.

"Ah, yes, Richard," she insisted. "You will give it to me, and I shall
thank you for the gift. It shall prove a weapon for my salvation, never
fear."

"It shall, indeed," he cried, with an ugly laugh; "when I have ridden to
Exeter to lay it before Albemarle."

"Not so," she answered him. "It shall be a weapon of defence--not of
offence. It shall stand as a buckler between me and Mr. Wilding. Trust
me, I shall know how to use it."

"But there is Blake to consider," he expostulated, growing angry. "I am
pledged to him."

"Your first duty is to me..."

"Tut!" he interrupted. "Blake feels that he owes it to his loyalty to
lay this letter before the Lord-Lieutenant, and, for that matter, so do
I."

"Sir Rowland would not cross my wishes in this, she answered him.

"Folly!" he cried, now thoroughly aroused. "Give me that letter."

"Nay, Richard," she answered, and waved him back.

But he advanced nevertheless.

"Give it me," he bade her, waxing fierce. "Gad! It was folly to have
told you of it. I had not done so but that I never thought you such a
fool as to oppose yourself to the thing we intend."

"Listen, Richard..." she besought him.

But he was grown insensible to pleadings.

"Give me that letter," he insisted, and caught her wrist. Her other
hand, however--the one that held the sheet--was already behind her back.

The door was suddenly thrust open, and Diana appeared. "Ruth," she
announced, "Mr. Wilding is here."

At the mention of that name, Richard let her free. "Wilding!" he
ejaculated, his fierceness all blown out of him. He had imagined that
already Mr. Wilding would be in full flight. Was the fellow mad?

"He is following me," said Diana, and, indeed, a step could be heard in
the passage.

"The letter!" growled Richard in a frenzy, between fear a