“But why not prevent them?” cried Wilton, “why not give up such traitors and villains to justice at once?” “Why not?” replied Green; “because there are men amongst them who have fought side by side with me in the day of battle; because there are some foolish when others are wicked; because that there are many who abhor their acts as much as I do, but who would be implicated in the consequences of their crimes.  These are all strong reasons, Wilton, powerful, mighty reasons, and I find now, alas I—­I find now, most bitterly—­that he who seeks even the best ends, in dark and tortuous ways, is sure, sooner or later, to involve himself in circumstances where he can neither act nor refuse to act, neither speak nor be silent, without a crime, a danger and a punishment.  In that situation I have placed myself; and I tell you that even now, since I have entered this room, I have determined to call upon my own head those dangers, if not that fate, which the mistake I have committed well deserves.  I will frustrate these men’s designs.  They shall not commit the act they purpose.  But yet I will betray no man; I will give no man up to death.  They shall not wring it from me; but they shall be sufficiently warned.  Now, however, let us leave all this, and only inquire how this girl can be saved from their hands.  You, Wilton, must be the person to rescue her, for I feel sure that your fate and hers are bound up together.  I feel sure, too,” he added with a faint smile, “that she would rather it were your hand saved her than that of any one else.  I have seen you together more than once, remember.  But how it is to be done is the question.  My time must be given to other things, for from tidings I have received not a moment is to be lost.  They have taken such means that I find there are only two whom I can trust out of very many who were with me near London.  I have no time to send either into Dorsetshire or Sussex, and the people there may have been tampered with also.  Besides, as we cannot call in the power of the law upon our side, it would need a number to effect our purpose.”

“But I will call in the power of the law,” replied Wilton.  “I have a Messenger with the Secretary of State’s warrant at my command; and wherever this place may be, I can in a moment raise such a force in the neighbourhood as will enable me to rescue her, and capture those who have committed so daring an outrage.

“Ay, but that is what must not be, Wilton,” replied Green.  “There is not one of those men whom you would capture whose head would be worth ten days’ purchase, were he within the walls of Newgate or the Tower.  No, no! to that I cannot consent.  Her freedom must be effected somehow, but their liberty not lost.  I must think over it this night.  Where can I find you to-morrow morning early?”

“At my own lodgings,” replied Wilton, “not four streets off.”

“No, no!” answered Green; “I never enter London in the day.  I might risk much by doing so, and must not do it except in case of great need.”