Page 43 - A Jacobite Exile

"'I have no design on the life of William of Orange, or of any other man,' he
said. 'I do not pretend to love him; in that matter there are thousands in this

realm with me; but, as for a design against his life, I should say, gentlemen,
there are few who know me, even among men like yourselves, whose

politics are opposed to mine, who would for a moment credit such a foul
insinuation.'

"'We have nothing to do with that matter, Sir Marmaduke,' John Cockshaw
said. 'We are acting upon a sworn information to that effect.'

"Sir Marmaduke was angry, now.

"'I can guess the name of the dog who signed it,' he said, 'and, kinsman
though he is by marriage, I will force the lie down his throat.'

"Then he cooled down again.

"'Well, gentlemen, you have to do your duty. What do you desire next?'

"'Our duty is, next, to search the house, for any treasonable documents that
may be concealed here.'

"'Search away, gentlemen,' Sir Marmaduke said, seating himself in one of
the settles. 'The house is open to you. My butler, James Banks, will go

round with you, and will open for you any cupboard or chest that may be
locked.'

"The magistrates nodded to the four soldiers. Two of them took their post
near the chair, one at the outside door, and one at the other end of the room.

Sir Marmaduke said nothing, but shrugged his shoulders, and then began to
play with the ears of the little spaniel, Fido, that had jumped up on his
knees.

"'We will first go into the study,' John Cockshaw said; and I led them there.