“Here is my sword,” replied Hugh Calveley, unbuckling his belt and delivering up the weapon it sustained to Jocelyn; “it hath never been dishonoured, and,” he added, lowering his voice, “it hath been twice drawn in thy father’s defence.”

The reproach cut Jocelyn to the heart.

At this moment the crowd drew aside to allow the King’s approach.

“Hath he been searched to see whether any deadly or offensive weapon is concealed about him?” demanded James.

“He cannot have any more offensive weapon than his tongue,” cried Archee, who accompanied his royal master.  “I counsel your Majesty to deprive him of that.”

“There is something hidden in his breast,” cried one of the warders, searching in his jerkin, and at length drawing forth a short, clumsy pistol, or dag, as the weapon was then called.  “It is loaded, an please your Majesty,” the man continued, after examining it.

Exclamations of horror arose from those around, and Jocelyn had again some difficulty in protecting the prisoner from their fury.

“A dag!” ejaculated James, “a loaded dag, crammed to the muzzle wi’ bullets, nae doubt.  Haud it down, man! haud it down! it may fire off of itsel’, and accomplish the villain’s murtherous and sacrilegious design.  And sae this was to be the instrument of our destruction!  Dost thou confess thy guilt, thou bluid-thirsty traitor, or shall the torture force the truth from thee?”

“The torture will force nothing from me,” replied Hugh Calveley.  “But I tell thee, tyrant, that I would have slain thee, had not my hand been stayed.”

“Heard ye ever the like o’ that?” exclaimed James, his ruddy cheek blanched with fright, and his voice quavering.  “Why, he exceedeth in audacity the arch-traitor Fawkes himsel’.  And what stayed thy hand, villain?” he demanded,—­“what stayed thy hand, thou blood-thirsty traitor?”

“The presence of this youth, Jocelyn Mounchensey,” rejoined Hugh Calveley.  “Had he not come between us when he did, and checked my purpose, I had delivered my country from oppression.  I told thee, tyrant, thou hadst been marvellously preserved.  Thy preserver stands before thee.”

“Heaven defend us!” exclaimed James, trembling.  “What an escape we hae had.  There hath been a special interposition o’ Providence in our behoof.  Our gratitude is due to Him who watcheth ower us.”

“And in some degree to him who hath been made the instrument of your Majesty’s preservation,” observed the Conde de Gondomar, who formed one of the group near the King.  “Since the foul traitor hath proclaimed the name of my young protege”, there can be no need for further concealment.  Master Jocelyn Mounchensey hath been singularly fortunate in rendering your Majesty a service, and may for ever congratulate himself on his share—­accidental though it be—­in this affair.”

“By my halidame! he shall have reason for congratulation,” cried James, graciously regarding the young man.