38 A JACOBITE EXILE

intended by the father, would set all against him, and public
opinion would approve of the estates passing away from
him altogether. But now, sir, what do you think you had
best do?”

“Of course I shall go on, Banks, and let them take me
to join my father in Lancaster jail. Do you think I would
run away?”

“No, sir, I don’t think you would run away. I am sure
you would not run away from fear, but I would not let them
lay hands on me until I had thought the matter well over.
You might be able to do more good to Sir Marmaduke were
you free, than you could do if you were caged up with him.
He has enemies, we know, who are doing their best to ruin
him, and, as you see, they are anxious that you too should
be shut up within four walls.”

“Vou are right, Banks; at any rate I will ride back and
consult Mr. Jervoise. Besides, he ought to be warned, for
he too may be arrested on the same charge. How did you
get away without being noticed?”

“T said that I felt ill—and I was not speaking falsely—
at Sir Marmaduke’s arrest, and would lie down. They are
keeping a sharp look-out at the stables, and have a soldier
at each door to see that no one leaves the house, but I went
out by that old passage that comes out among the ruins of
the monastery.”

“T know, Banks; my father showed it to me three years
ago.”

“T shall go back that way again, sir, and no one will
know that I have left the house. You know the trick of
the sliding panel, Master Charles?”

“Ves, I know it, and if I should want to come into the
house again I will come that way, Banks.”

“Here is a purse,” the butler said; “you may want
money, sir. Should you want more there is a store hidden
away in the hiding-place under the floor of the Priest’s