“Those are lampoons ye write?” demanded Mr. Wedderburn.

The Jacobite smiled:

“Yes, sir,” he said in a low voice, “I do not write them, but they are lampoons.”

“Against whom?”

“All the Whigs, sir—one in particular.”

Mr. Wedderburn held the open door in his hand; he spoke over his shoulder:

“The Master of Stair?” he asked.

The Jacobite answered under his breath.

“Truly that devil—the Master of Stair.”

Mr. Wedderburn’s blue eyes flashed dark and fierce.