"Hush! that is treason!"
"Call it what you like. If hanging is in order, why, let them hang me; but I'll make them dance before they get the chance."
Paul Hamilton was in bed.
He thought Vernon and Tempest some drunken roysterers, and took no notice of their demand to see him.
The woman who answered the door of the secretary's modest house was alarmed.
Well she might be, for the men both wore swords and looked angry.
"Tell Secretary Hamilton that unless he comes down we will force our way to his chamber and——"
"Sirs, he will see you, I am sure he will! please let me go and ask him again."
"Go, my good girl, and hurry, for time is pressing."
The girl had not waited to hear the whole of the speech; she had flown upstairs, and with sobs and tears had impressed the secretary with the necessity for prompt action.