“Ay,” answered Sir Perseus, “and the government does not want the decree carried out. The government may, but the Master of Stair and Breadalbane have other plans—don’t you see?”
“Yes,” nodded Sir Perseus, “they want the Highlands to put themselves outside the law.”
“So that you may quiet them forever with the cold steel,” finished Jerome. “Breadalbane wants to wipe out the hated clans—the Master of Stair wants to exterminate this pariah race that harries the government—but we—we want to keep alive the Highlands for King James—and we will do it!”
“Then they must take the oaths?” whispered Delia breathlessly.
“And break them when need be,” answered Jerome, “but they must take them—so that those who count upon their refusal may be defeated.”
“The Master of Stair does not think they will?” asked Sir Perseus.
“No—nor yet Breadalbane—they count upon them refusing to take the oath a Campbell administers—they are waiting eagerly for the first of January—then—letters of fire and sword and war to the death in the Highlands.”
“What can we do?” asked Delia eagerly.
Jerome Caryl lifted his intense eyes to her flushed face.
“Miss Delia—the Highlands must be warned of the vengeance preparing for them.”