"They crossed from France with Charles Edward. Many names of those who accompanied him are probably not known. You may rely on my information. I myself returned but from France some weeks ago. I know them well."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Captain Morris. "Indeed! Your lordship doubtless came to support his Majesty shortly after so many of his enemies crossed over."
"Precisely. But I will be frank. I should tell you I am myself a converted--perverted, some would say--Jacobite. My father, the late lord, died one, I do not espouse his political faith."
Captain Morris bowed gravely; then he said:
"And you know, therefore, these gentlemen--these Scotch rebels."
"I know them very well. Shall I furnish you with a description of their persons?"
"If you please;" and as the captain replied to the question, he--perhaps unwittingly--pushed the untasted glass of wine farther away from him into the middle of the large table, where it remained undrunk.
After the appearance of Elphinston and Sholto had been fully given and noted in the captain's book, he asked:
"And where are these men to be found, Lord Fordingbridge?"
"They shelter themselves in the village of Wandsworth, near London, in an old house on the Waterside, as the strand there is called. It is the first reached from the village."