He had not discovered the Lair, but he had seen Stroke, he had spoken to him! Disguised as a boy he had tracked the Jacobite and found him skulking in the house of the unhappy Ailie.

After blustering for a little Stroke had gone on his knees and offered not only to cease persecuting this lady but to return to France.

Mr.Sandys had kicked him into a standing posture and then left him.

But this clemency had been ill repaid.

Stroke had not returned to France.