“Barclugh is the grandson of Sir George Barclugh of the plot to murder William of Orange,” remarked Carlisle.
“He will do, then,” assented Fox. “For the followers of the Stuarts were the most remarkable zealots of any age.”
“Yes, and Barclugh has been the secret agent of Mr. Prince, the President of the Bank of England, at the court of Louis for five years past. His reports have been reliable and I can vouch for anything that he undertakes,” contended Selwyn, who was the balance-wheel and the diplomat of these choice spirits of Brooks’ high play.
“Very well, very well,” exclaimed Charles, “you and Carlisle fix up the details; I must be back, Gilly will ruin me. You and Carlisle fix up these matters—whatever you do will suit me. You know I must not leave the game,” contended Fox, as he nervously spoke and returned to the green room and hurried to his seat at the head of the table where the banker sat turning the cards for the coterie of gamesters.
Selwyn now had an opportunity to go calmly over the points at issue with Carlisle.
“This war must be ended, my Lord,” said Selwyn. “Give Barclugh every opportunity to win the leaders. Keep the army, under that drawing-room general, Sir Henry, at a respectful distance from the wily Washington; let Barclugh ply his arts among the substantial Colonists, and you will return as the savior of the Colonies and a Parliamentary grant will await you.”
“But suppose the plans fail, George, what then?” anxiously queried Carlisle.
“Nothing fails that Britons put their hands and hearts to,” expostulated Selwyn. “Start to-morrow; be on the scene—Barclugh will follow. Nothing daunts the ambitious Briton; we must succeed, or ruin stares us in the face. The continuous drain upon our resources at the gaming-table has sapped our substance,—we must have funds from government or give up our life at the Club. Carlisle, the game depends upon you.”
Thus reasoned Selwyn, for he knew that the select few who practised high play at Brooks’ had exhausted the resources of their set, and the only legitimate prey at hand was the funds of government to be won at the game of Colonial politics.
Carlisle left on the first ship for New York, and Barclugh was to leave as soon as Lord Germaine could fix up the funds and credentials for him to carry to the scene of war in America.