to fancy himself a second-hand sort of Robin Hood.  Half of his people are mine already, and the other half will be so soon.  Let the thing be done before the year be a week older; and let us to-morrow night meet at Mrs. Mountjoy’s in St. James’s-street, and send over to hurry the preparations in France.  Gentlemen, it is time for action.  Here several months have slipped by, and nothing is done.  It is high time to do something, lest men should say we promised much and performed little.”

Gradually all those who were present came round to the opinion of Sir George Barkley, and everything was arranged as he had proposed it.  Some farther time was then spent in desultory conversation; and it seemed as if every one lingered, under the idea that they were all to go away together.  Sir George Barkley, however, and Fenwick, seemed somewhat uneasy, and whispered together for a moment or two; and at length the latter said, “It may be better, gentlemen, for us to go away by two or three at a time.  You, Parkyns, with Sir John Friend, had better take along the upper road; three others can take the low road by the waterside; and Sir George with Charnock and myself will wait here till you are safely on your way.”

This proposal was instantly agreed to; but still some of the gentlemen lingered, evidently to the discomposure of Sir George Barkley, who at length gave them another hint that it was time to depart.

“By Heaven!” he exclaimed, as soon as they were all gone, “I thought they would have hung drivelling on here till the boat came down.  The tide served at ten o’clock, and before one they must be off the end of the garden.  How far is it from Erith?”

“Oh, certainly not four hours’ sail,” answered Charnock.  “But had I not better now write the letter we talked of to the Duke?  I can conceal my own hand well enough, and then if Fenwick is asked anything about it, he can swear most positively that it is not his writing.”

“Oh!  I care nothing about it,” replied Fenwick.  “The foolish old man cannot betray me without betraying himself; and you will see he will soon come round.  In the meantime, however, I will go down and talk to old Plessis about the ship.  I should think it could be got ready two days sooner easily; and as this that we have in view is a great object, we must not mind paying a few pounds for speed.”

Thus saying, he left the room; and Charnock, taking paper out of a drawer, proceeded to write a letter according to the suggestions of Sir George Barkley.  Presently after, there was a sound of several voices speaking, which apparently proceeded from some persons approaching the front of the house.  Both Sir George Barkley and Charnock started up, the first exclaiming, “Hark! there they are!”

“Yes,” exclaimed Charnock, “there’s a woman’s voice, sure enough!  Why the devil don’t they stop her talking so loud?”

“You write out the letter, Charnock,” said Sir George.  “I must go down and see that all is right.”