DENOUNCED 37

“Sir Marmaduke did not speak, but he shut his lips tight,
and his hand went to where the hilt of his sword would
have been. ‘Two of the constables went out and questioned
the grooms, and found that you had, as I said, ridden off.
When they came back there was some talk between the
magistrates, and then, as I said, four constables and some
soldiers were left in the house. Sir Marmaduke’s horse
was brought round, and he rode away with the magistrates
and the other soldiers.”’

“Y am quite sure, Banks, that my father could have
known nothing of those letters, or of any plot against Wil-
liam’s life. I have heard him speak so often of the
assassination plot, and how disgraceful it was, and how,
apart from its wickedness, it had damaged the cause, that I
am certain he would not have listened to a word about
another such business.”

“Tam sure of that too,” the old butler said; “but that is
not the question, Master Charles. ‘There are the papers.
We know that Sir Marmaduke did not put them there, and
that he did not know that they were there. But how is it
to be proved, sir? Everyone knows that Sir Marmaduke is
a Jacobite, and is regarded as the head of the party in this
part of the country. He has enemies, and one of them no
doubt has played this evil trick upon him, and the putting
of your name in shows what the motive is.”

“But it is ridiculous, Banks. Who could believe that
such a matter as this would be confided to a lad of my
age?”

“They might not believe it in their hearts, but people
often believe what suits their interest. This accusation
touches Sir Marmaduke’s life, and his estate, even if his
life were spared, would be confiscated. In such a case it
might be granted to anyone, and possibly even to the son
of him they would call the traitor. But the accusation that
the son was concerned, or was at any rate privy to the crime