had gained something; and I was beginning to repeat to myself
what I had heard, for that is the best way of all to imprint it on the
memory; when Mr. Sheppard came in again and invited me to follow him.

"Who was that that spoke?" I said carelessly, "as you went out just now?
I can swear I know the voice."

He glanced sharply at me.

"That?" he said. "Oh! that must have been Sir Thomas Armstrong who is
just gone out."

* * * * *

The parlour had no more than five men in it when we entered; and one
seemed about to take his leave. That one was His Grace of Monmouth. I
was a little astonished that they let me see him there, though I
understood presently why it was so. He turned to me very friendly, while
I was observing the two others I did not know--one of whom, Mr.
Ferguson, was dressed as a minister.

"Why, Mr. Mallock," he said, "you come as I go!"

He recognized me a shade too swiftly. That shewed me that they had been
speaking of me to him.

I said something civil; and then I saw that he was to say the piece they
had just taught him; for that he was not sharp enough to be trusted long
in the room with me.

"I hear you are all consulting," said he, "how to keep the peace. Well;
I have given my counsel; and my Lord Essex here knows what I wish. I
would I could stay, gentlemen; but that cannot be done."

There was a loyal and grateful murmur from the others. Indeed he looked
a prince, every inch of him. He took his leave with a superb courtesy,
giving his hand to each; and each bowed over it very low. I was not sure
but that Mr. Sheppard did not kiss it. For myself, I kissed it outright.
While I did so, I could have sworn that Mr. Sheppard said something
very swiftly in the ear of my Lord Essex.

Now I was wondering why they had kept me from my Lord Russell. His
probity was known well enough; and if they had wished to reassure me
they could have done no better than tell me he was one of them; and
then, of a sudden I recollected that to reassure me was the very last
thing they wished; on the contrary, they wished to hold me tight,
betraying only what they wished me to betray, until they were ready for
their final stroke. And, just as I had arrived at that, when we were all
sat down, my Lord Essex again dumfoundered me.

"Mr. Mallock," he said, "I wish to tell you, now we are in private, that
my Lord Russell has been here, as well as His Grace and Sir Thomas
Armstrong. You ca