"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.