Page 42 - A Jacobite Exile

"They have taken him away."

"This is bad news, Banks; but I know that he thought that it might be so.
But it will not be very serious; it is only a question of a fine," he said.

The butler shook his head, sadly.

"It is worse than that, Master Charles. It is worse than you think."

"Well, tell me all about it, Banks," Charlie said, feeling much alarmed at
the old man's manner.

"Well, sir, at three this afternoon, two magistrates, John Cockshaw and
William Peters-- "

("Both bitter Whigs," Charlie put in.)

"--Rode up to the door. They had with them six constables, and twenty
troopers."

"There were enough of them, then," Charlie said. "Did they think my father
was going to arm you all, and defend the place?"

"I don't know, sir, but that is the number that came. The magistrates, and

the constables, and four of the soldiers came into the house. Sir Marmaduke
met them in the hall.

"'To what do I owe the honour of this visit?' he said, quite cold and
haughty.

"'We have come, Sir Marmaduke Carstairs, to arrest you, on the charge of
being concerned in a treasonable plot against the king's life.'

"Sir Marmaduke laughed out loud.