"Wait a bit," said Charles, detaining him; "what—who the mischief am I?"
"For the next eighteen hours you cannot be a better person than Master Alworth, called on sudden pressing business affairs to London."
"That's all very well," said the king, still rather perplexedly; "but I don't clearly comprehend—"
"Then your Majesty must pardon me for saying you are not Master Alworth."
Masquerading.
"Well, well," laughed Charles, "'tis not the first time Charles Stuart has been driven to exercise his wits."
"And Stars and Garters," continued Lee, "will serve the King of England at his need every whit as well as ever Royal Oak did. In ten minutes she will be at the street corner."
And bidding a warm adieu to the goldsmith, Lawrence Lee hurried away.