"Pah! the traitor!" cried Ralph furiously. "And now, having himself conspired against the King, yet he goes free and sits high, judging his fellow conspirators."
"And such judgments," cried Barbara. "Such wicked, brutal judgments. Oh! 'tis unbearable."
"And yet, Mistress Barbara, methinks his lordship is himself in no very enviable position. I doubt not he would give much to know the whereabouts of these letters. And when he sits in court, and rolls out his bloody sentences, I dare swear his own head feels somewhat unsteady on his shoulders."
"That which we overheard in the inn at Taunton, was not that also part of his treachery?"
"By Heavens, yes. This explains his dealings with Ferguson. Doubtless Ferguson acted as go-between; he knew the secret and he is no man to spare his friend an he can use him. It was indeed highly important Ferguson should leave the country in safety."
"But why did not Duke Monmouth betray him?" asked Barbara.
"Because the Duke was no traitor," answered Ralph sharply.
"Possibly," answered the captain drily. "And otherwise, he had lost the proofs. Men say the Duke wrote to his Majesty, claiming to have some secret to confide in him after his arrest; is't possible he referred to this treachery of Jeffreys? But 'twould have been useless to bring such accusation without proof."
"Well, here are the proofs. Now what were best to do?" began Ralph eagerly.
"Nothing."