"It was for carrying treasonable matter," replied Strange in a husky voice; "but I suppose..."
"There was nothing against the throne in the package," broke in Rob.
"Strange," shouted the Duke, "am I to wrangle with a school boy? Is 'e not a rebel?"
"He is, your Highness. He was in arms at Culloden."
"Zen surely that is enough to 'ang any man."
"You have no witnesses," retorted Rob.
"Zen find vitnesses. Himmel!—make vitnesses!" broke out the Duke, seating himself again at the table. "But go, Strange, before I burst—and 'old—come back in half an hour. I would talk with you over this and other matters."
In his cell Rob could have wept for joy had he been given to that sort of thing. For he realized that though he had been the goose who had drawn off the pursuit from Cameron, the Prince was safe, and that the gold would yet be his.
In this elation of feeling he crossed slowly to the window. The last rays of the sun were falling upon the blank bars of the gibbet, at which he felt his heart sink, for it was a cold and melancholy ending to his ambitions and his life.
* * * * *