A RESCUE 65

have any plans beyond reaching a port and taking ship for
France?”

“T am going to Sweden,” Mr. Jervoise said, and then
repeated the reasons that he had given Charlie for taking
this step.

“T am too old for the wars,” Sir Marmaduke said. “I
was sixty last birthday, and though I am still strong and
active, and could strike a shrewd blow in case of need, I
am too old for the fatigues and hardships of campaigning.
I could not hope at my age to obtain a commission in the
Swedish service.”

“No, I did not think of your joining the army, Sir Mar-
maduke, though I warrant you would do as well as most,
but I thought that you might take up your residence at
Stockholm as well as at St.Germains. You will find many
Scottish gentlemen there, and not a few Jacobites, who,
like yourself, have been forced to fly. Besides, both the
life and air would suit you better than at St. Germains,
where by all accounts the life is a gay one, and men come
to think more of pleasure than of duty. Moreover, your
money will go much further in Sweden than in France.”

Sir Marmaduke, checking the horse’s speed, said, “1
have not so much as a penny in my pocket, and methinks
I am like to have some trouble in getting at the hoard
I have been collecting ever since Dutch William came
to the throne for the benefit of His Majesty when he
arrives.”

“Vou will have no trouble in getting at that, father,”
Charlie said laughing, “seeing that you have nothing to do
but to lean over and pat your hand into my holsters, which
are so full, as you see, that I am forced to carry my pistols
in my belt.”

“What mean you, lad?”

“T mean, father, that I have the whole of the hoard that
was stowed away in the priest’s hiding-place;” and he then