"Yes, but——"
He bent toward her with intense earnestness.
"Nance—listen. I believe in my heart that your father is in very great danger. Spy he may not be; it is a low word and should not live near you. But he is a Revolutionist, a Jacobin, a sympathiser with the French. God knows what he hopes to get out of Napoleon! This fellow De Rothan is the danger. The country's mad and scared; they'd show no pity."
She was white and serious and a little frightened.
"Oh, I know—I know! But father——!"
"I know the kind of man he is, an enthusiast, ready to be martyred. There are people who suspect him, but I don't think a living soul knows as much of the affair as I do."
Nance's eyes were supplicating and eager.
"Yes—but can you help me?"
"We must rid Stonehanger of this fellow De Rothan."
"But how?"