Jeffreys swore under his breath. Then he turned to the officer with a scornful laugh.
"And you dream, by these letters, you can prove me traitor, eh?" he asked mockingly.
"Certainly not, my lord, if your lordship can prove your innocence," was the cool answer.
There was silence. The two men eyed one another defiantly. Then Jeffreys laid down the letters, and leaned across the table.
"You are a fool, sir," he said sharply, "an you think to reap any advantage from these letters. I tell you the plain truth. I have intrigued with Monmouth, but solely that by gaining his confidence, I might prove of greater assistance to his Majesty."
"Indeed, my lord, I never held so low an opinion of you as to suppose you would confine your treachery to one party only," answered Captain Protheroe insolently. But his heart beat quickly, for he liked not the suggestion in the judge's words.
"Have a care, sir," shouted Jeffreys angrily. "Recollect you are in my power."
"With reservations, my lord. For, if I join not my friends within two hours, the originals of these letters will, before to-morrow night, be in the hands of one likely to take a deeper interest in the matter than your lordship seems to do."
"Devil damn you, fellow! Have I not told you wherefore these letters were writ?"
"You have. For your lordship's sake I trust others may place more credence in your story than I do myself."