“Nay,” rejoined Salisbury, with a ghastly smile, “it is for traitors like Tresham, not true men like you, to fear me.”
“I understand the distinction, my lord,” replied the other.
“I must intrust the entire management of this affair to you,” pursued Salisbury.
“To me!” exclaimed Mounteagle. “Tresham is my brother-in-law. I can take no part in his murder.”
“If he lives, you are ruined,” rejoined Salisbury, coldly. “You must sacrifice him or yourself. But I see you are reasonable. Take this powder, and proceed to the Tower. See Ipgreve alone, and instruct him to drug Tresham's wine with it. A hundred marks shall be his reward when the deed is done.”
“My soul revolts from the deed,” said Mounteagle, as he took the packet. “Is there no other way of silencing him?”
“None whatever,” replied Salisbury, sternly. “His blood be upon his own head.”
With this, Mounteagle took his departure.