Surrendering his sword to Catesby, Mounteagle then walked to the farther end of the room, and leaning against the wall, with his back to the conspirators, appeared buried in thought.
“Take Tresham aside,” whispered Catesby to Wright. “I do not wish him to overhear our conference. Watch him narrowly, and see that no signal passes between him and Lord Mounteagle.”
Wright obeyed; and the others gathering closely together, began to converse in a low tone.
“It will not do to put him to death,” observed Garnet. “From what he stated to Tresham, it appears that his servant was aware of his coming hither. If he disappears, therefore, search will be immediately made, and all will be discovered. We must either instantly secure ourselves by flight, and give up the enterprise, or trust him.”
“You are right, father,” replied Rookwood. “The danger is imminent.”
“We are safe at present,” observed Percy, “and may escape to France or Flanders before information can be given against us. Nay, we may carry off Mounteagle with us, for that matter. But I am loth to trust him.”
“So am I,” rejoined Catesby. “I do not like his looks.”
“There is no help,” said Fawkes. “We must trust him, or give up the enterprise. He may materially aid us, and has himself asserted that he can procure Viviana's liberation from the Tower.”
“Pshaw!” exclaimed Catesby, impatiently. “What has that to do with the all-important question we are now considering?”
“Much,” returned Fawkes. “And I will not move further in the matter unless that point is insisted on.”