"My spies discovered it," he said shortly. "Oh, I have not been idle, young man; my men have had eyes and ears everywhere."
I realized then as I felt when at Tregothnan that he seemed to resent my questions, and I knew that his abilities did not equal his zeal. I could quite believe that the Killigrews had abandoned the idea of meeting the forces which Hugh Boscawen had gathered, but I did not believe that they would submit so meekly as this man seemed to think. As far as I could judge, matters were ill-arranged, and although every one was on the tiptoe of expectation, there seemed to be little definite idea as to the serious issue at stake.
"You see," he went on, "such a number of men could not be got together so secretly as I had hoped. The Pretender's friends found this out, and not a man of theirs is to be found within two miles. Of that I am sure."
"And do you think, my lord, that they will give up so easily?" I asked.
"They cannot help themselves. I tell you the coast is guarded two miles in each direction."
"No more than two miles?"
"Is not that enough, Trevanion! I tell you I saw through the whole business ten minutes after you brought the news. You shall not be forgotten, Trevanion, I can assure you that."
"I suppose neither Sir Richard nor John Rosecorroch are here?"
"No, there was no time to get advisers; besides it would have confused matters. One general is enough."
I felt impatient with the man, loyal and well-meaning as he was. I remembered that he had paid but little heed to me at Tregothnan. Doubtless during the hours I had been lying asleep through the day he had given his orders, and in his own way had made ready. But he did not know the resources of Colman Killigrew or Uncle Anthony, to say nothing of Otho.