Page 61 - A Jacobite Exile

would be deprived.

"So you see, Charlie, you were to have the honour of playing the chief part
in this tragedy."

"Honour indeed!" Charlie exclaimed passionately. "Dishonour, sir. Was
there ever so infamous a plot!"

"It is a well-laid plot, Charlie, and does credit to the scoundrel who planned

it. You see, he made certain that Sir Marmaduke would be attainted, and his
estates forfeited, but there existed just a possibility that, as you are but a
boy, though a good big one, it might be thought that, as you were innocent

of the business, a portion at least of the estate might be handed to you. To
prevent this, it was necessary that you also should be mixed up in the

affair."

"Has John Dormay appeared in the matter so far, Mr. Jervoise?"

"Not openly, Charlie. My informant knows that there have been two or

three meetings of Whig magistrates, with closed doors, and that at these he
has been present, and he has no doubt, whatever, that it is he who has set
the ball rolling. Still, there is no proof of this, and he did not appear

yesterday. The man who did appear was the rascal who tried to overhear us
the other night. He stated that he had been instigated by a gentleman of

great loyalty--here one of the magistrates broke in, and said no name must
be mentioned--to enter the household of Sir Marmaduke, a gentleman who,
as he believed, was trafficking with the king's enemies. He had agreed to do

this, in spite of the danger of such employment, moved thereto not so much
by the hope of a reward as from his great loyalty to his majesty, and a

desire to avert from him his great danger from popish plots. Having
succeeded in entering Sir Marmaduke's service, he soon discovered that six
gentlemen, to wit, myself and five friends, were in the habit of meeting at

Lynnwood, where they had long and secret talks. Knowing the deep enmity
and hostility these men bore towards his gracious majesty, he determined to

run any hazard, even to the loss of his life, to learn the purport of such
gatherings, and did, therefore, conceal himself, on one occasion behind the