Page 62 - A Jacobite Exile

hangings of a window, and on another listened at an open casement, and
did hear much conversation regarding the best manner in which the taking

of the king's life could be accomplished. This, it was agreed, should be
done in the forest at Richmond, where all should lie in wait, the said Sir

Marmaduke Carstairs undertaking that he and his son would, in the first
place, fire with pistol or musquetoon, and that, only if they should fail, the
rest should charge forward on horse, overthrow the king's companions, and

despatch him, Mr. William Jervoise undertaking the management of this
part of the enterprise. No date was settled for this wicked business, it being,

however, agreed that all should journey separately to London, and take up
their lodging there under feigned names; lying hid until they heard from a
friend at court, whose name was not mentioned, a day on which the king

would hunt at Richmond. He further testified that, making another attempt
to overhear the conspirators in order that he might gather fuller details as to

the manner of the plot, he was seen by Master Charles Carstairs, who,
taking him by surprise, grievously assaulted him, and that he and the others
would have slain him, had he not overthrown Master Carstairs and effected

his escape before the others, rushing out sword in hand, had time to assail
him.

"During his stay at Lynnwood he had, several times, watched at the
window of the room where Sir Marmaduke Carstairs sits when alone, and

where he writes his letters and transacts business, and that he observed him,
more than once, peruse attentively papers that seemed to be of importance,

for, after reading them, he would lay them down and walk, as if disturbed
or doubtful in mind, up and down the room; and these papers he placed,
when he had done with them, in the bottom drawer of a desk in his cabinet,

the said desk being always carefully locked by him.

"That is all that I learnt from Lancaster, save that instructions have been
given that no pains should be spared to secure the persons of those engaged
in the plot, and that a special watch was to be set at the northern ports, lest

they should, finding their guilt discovered, try to escape from the kingdom.
So you see that your good father, Sir Marmaduke, is in a state of sore peril,

and that the rest of us, including yourself, will be in a like strait if they can
lay hands on us."