do so," he continued, "but that your lordship
seemed to invite my presence."

"Invited it, sir?" questioned Rotherby with deference. "I should
scarcely have presumed so far as to invite it."

"Not directly, perhaps," returned the second secretary. His was a deep,
rich voice, and he spoke with great deliberateness, as if considering
well each word before allowing it utterance. "Not directly, perhaps; but
in view of your message to Lord Carteret, his lordship has desired me
to come in person to inquire into this matter for him, before proceeding
farther. This fellow," indicating Green, "brought information from you
that a Jacobite--an agent of James Stuart--is being detained here,
and that your lordship has a communication to make to the secretary of
state."

Rotherby bowed his assent. "All I desired that Mr. Green should do
meanwhile," said he, "was to procure a warrant for this man's arrest. My
revelations would have followed that. Has he the warrant?"

"Your lordship may not be aware," said Mr. Templeton, with an increased
precision of diction, "that of late so many plots have been disclosed
and have proved in the end to be no plots at all, that his lordship has
resolved to proceed now with the extremest caution. For it is not held
desirable by his majesty that publicity should be given to such matters
until there can be no doubt that they are susceptible to proof. Talk of
them is disturbing to the public quiet, and there is already disturbance
enough, as it unfortunately happens. Therefore, it is deemed expedient
that we should make quite sure of our ground before proceeding to
arrests."

"But this plot is no sham plot," cried Rotherby, with the faintest show
of heat, out of patience with the other's deliberateness. "It is a very
real danger, as I can prove to his lordship."

"It is for the purpose of ascertaining that fact," resumed the second
secretary, entirely unruffled, "for the purpose of ascertaining it
before taking any steps that would seem to acknowledge it, that my
Lord Carteret has desired me to wait upon you--that you may place me in
possession of the circumstances that have come to your knowledge."

Rotherby's countenance betrayed his growing impatience. "Why, for that
matter, it has come to my knowledge that a plot is being hatched by the
friends of the Stuart, and that a rising is being prepared, the present
moment being considered auspicious, while the people's confidence in the
government is