wing pretty late by the time we had done; yet before we went I
had learned one more piece of news, partly through a little trap I laid,
and partly through my Lord Essex's clumsiness.

"Well," said I, "I must be getting homewards, my Lords. I wish my Lord
Shaftesbury had been here. Could I see his Lordship, do you think?--if I
were to call at his town house? There is a very particular matter--"

My Lord Essex started a little. He was tired and overanxious, I think,
with the continual part that he had to play before me; yet it was the
first slip he made.

"My Lord is out of town--" he said. Then he paused. "You could not tell
us, I suppose--"

I affected indifference. (Was my Lord out of town, I wondered?)

"Why; it is nothing," I said.

My Lord exchanged a look with Mr. Sheppard; and made his second mistake.

"I saw my Lord only--last week," he said suddenly. "He wishes his
address to be private for the present; but--

"Do not trouble yourself, my Lord," I said. "I assure you it has nothing
to do with our business here."

I repeated this, I think, with a good enough manner to persuade them
that what I said was true; and presently afterwards took my leave.

As I sat in the wherry that took me back to the Privy Stairs--(I had
announced of course, "to the Temple")--I was preparing in my mind what I
should say. I had learned a considerable amount for an evening; for the
conversation I had overheard, added to what Mr. Chiffinch had told me,
added to what they had all said in the parlour, interpreted and fitted
together, was pretty significant.

These were the points I arranged.

First, that the visit of the Duke, my Lord Grey and Sir Thomas Armstrong
to Whitehall was to see in what state the guards were in case of a
surprise; and the conclusion they had arrived at was they "were not like
soldiers at all" but "very remiss."

Second, that a "demonstration" in London was very imminent.

Third, that they had won over my Lord Russell enough at least to gain
the help that his name would give.

Fourth, I was confirmed in what Mr. Chiffinch had told me as to the
probability of a rising in Scotland.

Fifth, I was confirmed in my view that the Duke was very deeply
involved.

Sixth, it appeared to me exceedingly probable that my Lord Shaftesbury
was still in town, though not in his own house: and, all things
considered, it was very nearly certain that he was hidden in Wapping. He
was, probably also, a little ill, or