have been carried hence by
you."

"The latter, sir, was a matter for the future, and you can hardly prove
what a man will do; so we'll let that pass. As for the former--the
letter which you say I brought--you'll remember that you searched me at
Maidstone--"

"And I have your admission that the letter was upon you at the time,"
roared the spy, interrupting him--"your admission in the presence of
that lady, as she can be made to witness."

Mistress Winthrop rose. "'Tis a lie," she said firmly. "I can not be
made to witness."

Mr. Caryll smiled, and nodded across to her. "'Tis vastly kind in you,
Mistress Winthrop. But the gentleman is mistook." He turned to Green.
"Harkee, sirrah did I admit that I had carried that letter?"

Mr. Green shrugged. "You admitted that you carried a letter. What other
letter should it have been but that?"

"Nay," smiled Mr. Caryll. "'Tis not for you to ask me. Rather is it for
you to prove that the letter I admitted having carried and that letter
are one and the same. 'Twill take a deal of proving, I dare swear."

"Ye'll be forsworn, then," put in her ladyship sourly. "For I can
witness to the letter that you bore. Not only did I see it--a letter on
that same fine paper--in my husband's hands on the day you came here and
during your visit, but I have his lordship's own word for it that he was
in the plot and that you were the go-between."

"Ah!" chuckled Mr. Green. "What now, sir? What now? By what fresh piece
of acrobatics will you get out of that?"

"Ye're a fool," said Mr. Caryll with calm contempt, and fetched out his
snuff-box. "D'ye dream that one witness will suffice to establish so
grave a charge? Pah!" He opened his snuff-box to find it empty, and
viciously snapped down the lid again. "Pah!" he said again, "ye've cost
me a whole boxfull of Burgamot."

"Why did ye throw it in my face?" demanded Mr. Green. "What purpose did
ye look to serve but one of treason? Answer me that!"

"I didn't like the way ye looked at me. 'Twas wanting respect, and I
bethought me I would lessen the impudence of your expression. Have ye
any other foolish questions for me?" And he looked again from Green to
Rotherby, including both in his inquiry. "No?" He rose. "In that case,
if you'll give me leave, and--"

"You do not leave this house," Rotherby informed him.

"I think you push hospitality too far. Will you desire your lackey to
return me my sword? I have affairs elsewhere."

"Mr. Caryll,