g aside all else until a
Catholic doth occupy the throne of England?"

"I swear it, father," answered Catesby, reverently pressing his lips
to the cross.

To every one of the eight did the Superior give the oath, and then
took the same himself.

"And now," said Garnet, when the men had once more resumed their
places, "do we proceed to administer to each the sacrament which alone
can fill your minds and bodies with sufficient strength to carry out
our holy purpose."

The priest arose and turned toward the altar, bowed, then slowly
ascended the steps. After unlocking the door of the tabernacle with a
golden key, he drew forth from the recess the Monstrance containing
the eucharist. Again he bowed, then elevated the Host, while the
stillness was only broken by the deep tone of the sacring-bell, the
men bending in adoration. Once more the priest made reverence; then
arising, took from out the Monstrance the pyx, and facing the group,
repeated the words: "Ecce Agnus Dei." All arose and knelt before him
on the steps, receiving from his hands the sacrament, and when they
had partaken, each silently returned to his place. A sense of the
solemnity of their undertaking, accentuated by the awfulness of the
act in which they were engaged, filled the men's hearts so that they
scarcely beheld the Jesuit ascend to the altar and replace the Host
within the tabernacle, or heard the benediction he pronounced....

Once more the men stood in the room they occupied previous to their
entrance into the chapel. All seemed loath to speak, being deeply
impressed by the ceremony in which they had taken part.

At last Fawkes made ready for departure, being desirous of reaching
London ere daybreak. As he approached the door of the room the
Superior arose and passed toward him. "Friend Guido," said Garnet, as
the other stood ready for the journey, "I will not see thee ere thou
and Sir Winter return from France. Let thy mind be at ease regarding
thy daughter, for in thy absence I will have her under my special
care. Hadst better mention to her that she will have a visitor?"

"I will be guided by thee in the matter, good father," returned
Fawkes; "but," he continued, in a husky tone, "guard her well, for she
is very dear to me."

"Have no fear," Garnet answered, kindly, laying a hand upon the
other's shoulder; "in that will I be as zealous as though she were a
daughter of mine own."

CHAPTER XV.

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL."

The ded