But he was favourably disposed to Your Grace." His Grace made a gesture that seemed to dismiss Prideaux from their calculations.

"And Mr.Hucker, of Taunton ?" Battiscomb's manner grew yet more ill at ease.

"Mr.Hucker himself, I am sure, would place his sword at your disposal.

But his brother is a red-hot Tory." "Well, well," sighed the Duke, "I take it we must not make certain of Mr.Hucker.Are there any others besides Legge and Hooper upon whom you think that we may reckon ?" "Lord Wiltshire, perhaps," said Battiscomb, but with a lack of assurance.
"A plague on perhaps!" exclaimed Monmouth, growing irritable; "I want you to name the men of whom you are certain." Battiscomb stood silent for a moment, pondering.

He looked almost foolish, like a schoolboy who hesitates to confess his ignorance of the answer to a question set him.
Fletcher swung round, his grey eyes flashing angrily, his accent more Scottish than ever.
"Is it that ye're certain o' none, Mr.Battiscomb ?" he exclaimed.
"Indeed," said Battiscomb, "I think we may be fairly certain of Mr.
Legge and Mr.Hooper." "And of none besides ?" questioned Fletcher again.