“We shall set out instantly for White Webbs. You will remain on guard with Tresham, whom you will, of course, keep in ignorance of our proceedings. After you have set the Earl at liberty, you can follow us if you choose. But take heed you are not observed.”
“Fear nothing,” replied Fawkes.
Soon after this, Catesby, and the rest of the conspirators, with the exception of Guy Fawkes and Tresham, quitted the room, and the former concluded they were about to leave the house. He made no remark, however, to his companion; but getting between him and the door, folded his arms upon his breast, and continued to pace backwards and forwards before it.
“Am I a prisoner, as well as Lord Mounteagle?” asked Tresham, after a pause.
“You must remain with me here till midnight,” replied Fawkes. “We shall not be disturbed.”
“What! are the others gone?” cried Tresham.
“They are,” was the reply.
Tresham's countenance fell, and he appeared to be meditating some project, which he could not muster courage to execute.
“Be warned by the past, Tresham,” said Fawkes, who had regarded him fixedly for some minutes. “If I find reason to doubt you, I will put it out of your power to betray us a second time.”
“You have no reason to doubt me,” replied Tresham, with apparent candour. “I only wondered that our friends should leave me without any intimation of their purpose. It is for me, not you, to apprehend some ill design. Am I not to act with you further?”