s no great matter," replied Fawkes, setting down the wineglass
Winter had handed him, "a little here, a trifle there, requiring some
weeks in the gathering; but now, as thou hast seen, there is enough."

Winter laughed. "Faith!" said he, "I would fain not have thee for mine
enemy, friend Guido; else, some fine night, while I dreamed not that
danger threatened, my good dwelling would come to grief."

Fawkes smiled grimly. "Not so," said he; "if thou wert an enemy, and
I had sworn to kill thee, 'twould be by other means,"--touching the
hilt of his sword. "What thou hast seen is reserved for kings and
parliaments."

"The powder is well stored," broke in Catesby,--"what next?"

"That hath been attended to," replied Percy. "As thou knowest, certain
events must transpire ere Master Keyes gives up his guardianship. To
me has fallen the duty of looking into the matter. The cellar of the
Parliament House must be reached ere further effect can come from our
planning."

"What hast thou decided?" asked Winter.

"Upon a simple solution of the matter," replied the
Gentleman-Pensioner. "Foreseeing our course, I have made an agreement
with one Henry Ferrers for the hiring of a dwelling close to the House
of Parliament. The documents are already signed and sealed. As in many
houses, the cellar extends some feet below the surface of the street
and, next it, lies the foundation wall of the House."

"Then," cried Catesby, "we will play the mole; is it not so, good
Percy?"

"Thou hast said it," replied the other; "to reach the cellar beneath
the House of Lords we must pierce through the foundation. 'Tis of
great thickness and the task will not be easy."

"I am little used to delving," growled Fawkes, "but there is no other
way."

"And Garnet?" inquired Catesby.

"Garnet hath gone from London," said Percy, "nor will he return until
the fuse has reached the powder. He is now at Coughton House to await
such time as we shall summon him to join our forces."

"And them hast all in readiness?" asked Winter.

"In the house of Henry Ferrers are tools for digging--picks, hammers
and the like," replied Percy.

"And in another place lie six and thirty kegs of trusty powder," added
Catesby; "the instruments are at hand." Then rising: "Come, gentlemen!
our conference is ended; to-morrow we work, not talk."

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE CELLAR.

The house of Master Ferrers stood on the narrow strip of land between
the House of Lords