Page 310 - A Jacobite Exile

"I think it is an excellent plan, and could not be better," Charlie exclaimed,
and his friend heartily agreed with him.

"I think you will be able to get anything out of him, when you get him

there," said the tipstaff. "He is sure to have some of the swag about him,
and, even if none of the passengers of the coach are able to swear to him,
that and the talk you overheard would be sufficient to hang him."

"Can those boys you speak of write?"

"Not they, sir."

"There might be a difficulty about a verbal message."

"The guard will give it, all right, if he gets half a crown with it. You need
not trouble about that, sir. I will have a man to meet each coach, as it comes
in.

"And now we have arranged matters, sir, I will go with you to see the

house, and will send a sharp fellow down tomorrow, to make inquiries
about the people of the place."

When they returned, the friends sat for a long time, talking together. The
suggested plan looked so hopeful that they felt confident of its success.

"I think, Charlie," Harry said, "it would be a good thing for us to present
ourselves to the Duke of Marlborough. Then we shall see if he is disposed

to take an interest in us, and help us. If he is, he will tell us what had best
be done towards getting Nicholson's statement made in the presence of

some sort of official who will act on it. If he gives us the cold shoulder, we
shall have to do as best we can in some other direction, and it will be well
to have the matter settled, if possible, before we catch the fellow."

"I think that will be a very good plan, Harry. I know where he lives. I

inquired directly I came over. Tomorrow morning we can go there and
inquire, at the door, at what hour he receives callers."