“I would also confer for a moment alone with my brother Tresham,” said Mounteagle.
“That cannot be, my lord,” rejoined Garnet, peremptorily. “And take heed you meditate no treachery towards us, or you will destroy yourself here and hereafter.”
“I have no desire to speak with him, father,” observed Tresham. “Let him declare what he has to say before you all.”
Mounteagle looked hard at him, but he made no remark.
“In my opinion, we ought not to trust him,” observed Keyes. “It is plain he is decidedly opposed to us. And if the oath is proposed to him, he may take it with some mental reservation.”
“I will guard against that,” replied Garnet.
“If I take the oath, I will keep it, father,” rejoined Mounteagle. “But I have not yet decided.”
“You must do so, then, quickly, my lord,” returned Catesby. “You shall have five minutes for reflection. But first, you must deliver up your sword.”
The Earl started.
“We mean you no treachery, my lord,” observed Keyes, “and expect to be dealt with with equal fairness.”