"
"You are plain and blunt," he said, leaning forward and speaking in a low
tone, "and I will be the same. Return me all the papers you took from my
sergeant at the 'Ring of Bells,' and I will see that you escape and get
clear of the country."
"The different personal ends for which you are anxious to turn traitor
seem innumerable, my lord!"
He met the taunt as if it had been a flip with a straw, and only said,
"Is it a bargain?"
"It is not," I replied emphatically.
If his life rather than his lands had depended on the recovery of the
letter he could not have been more eager. For a long time he pleaded and
wrestled with me; arguing, bullying, imploring, threatening, turn and turn
about, but to no result. I would not go back on my casual word to Master
Freake. The letter was important to him, and he would save Margaret and
the Colonel, and me too, when the inevitable hour of need should come at
last. Money was power, and lands were more than money. Acres meant votes,
and with votes at your command you had ministers at your beck. I was sure
of Master Freake. Why bother about my lord Brocton?
At last he played his last card.
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