. Yet this is the more
important since the safety of the kingdom is involved; whilst the other
is but a personal affair, and trivial by comparison.

"I will beg, sir, that out of consideration for my disclosing this
dastardly conspiracy--which I cannot do without disclosing my
father's misguided share in it--I will implore, sir, that out of that
consideration, Lord Carteret will see fit to dispose that the South Sea
Company affair is allowed to be forgotten. It has already been paid for
by my father with his life."

Mr. Templeton looked at the young man before him with eyes of real
commiseration. He was entirely duped, and in his heart he regretted that
for a moment he could have doubted Rotherby's integrity of purpose.

"Sir," he said, "I offer you my sympathy--my profoundest sympathy; and
you, my lady.

"As for this South Sea Company affair, well--I am empowered by Lord
Carteret to treat only of the other matter, and to issue or not a
warrant for the apprehension of the person you are detaining, after
I have investigated the grounds upon which his arrest is urged.
Nevertheless, sir, I think I can say--indeed, I think I can
promise--that in consideration of your readiness to deliver up these
letters, and provided their nature is as serious as you represent, and
also in consideration of this, your most signal proof of loyalty, Lord
Carteret will not wish to increase the load which already you have to
bear."

"Oh, sir!" cried Rotherby in the deepest emotion, "I have no words in
which to express my thanks."

"Nor I," put in Mr. Caryll, "words in which to express my admiration.
A most excellent performance, Rotherby. I had not credited you with so
much ability."

Mr. Templeton frowned upon him again. "Ye betray a singular callousness,
sir," said he.

"Nay, sir; not callousness. Merely the ease that springs from a tranquil
conscience."

Her ladyship glanced across at him, and sneered audibly. "You hear the
poisonous traitor, sir. He glories in a tranquil conscience, in spite of
this murderous matter to which he stood committed."

Rotherby turned aside to take the letters from the desk. He thrust them
into Mr. Templeton's hands. "Here, sir, is a letter from King James to
my father, and here is a letter from my father to King James. From their
contents, you will gather how far advanced are matters, what devilries
are being hatched here in his majesty's dominions."

Mr. Templeton received them, and crossed to th