Hugh Boscawen smiled scornfully. Not great of intellect, he nevertheless sought to impress me with his erudition.
"I know that the Killigrews pretend this," he replied, "but only for the purpose of serving the King. It is true that the family hath nearly died out, and beyond this one branch there are no representatives; but they have always supported king and crown."
"Tom Killigrew was Master of Revels of Charles II.," I replied hotly, "and the family have always sworn allegiance to the Stuart race."
"I am not here to bandy words with you, Roger Trevanion," he said; "the question is, Did you or did you not offer your services to Colman Killigrew? Did you not offer to help to raise an army against the king? Did you not say that the people called Methodists were papists in disguise, and desired to bring back the Catholic religion, and again establish high monarchical powers?"
Again I was silent, for in truth I had no answer to give.
"I am waiting for you to speak," he continued presently.
"I have no answer to make beyond again saying that this was a mere subterfuge on my part to establish a footing in the house."
"Why wished you to establish a footing in the house?"
"This also must remain my secret for the present," was my answer.