54 A JACOBITE EXILE

taking 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 sur-
prise, grievously assaulted him, and that he and the others
would have slain him, had he not overthrown Master Car-
stairs 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 impor-
tance, 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 in-
structions 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.”

“But it is all false!” Charlie exclaimed. “It is a lie
from beginning to end.”