"I guessed from their number it was my life, and not my money, that they sought.
"Now let us look at the fellow you sent to his account." Rupert hung back as they approached the man he had killed.

In those days of rebellions, executions, and duels, human life was regarded but lightly.

Still, to a lad of little over fifteen the thought that he had killed a man, even if in fair fight, was very painful.
"Ah, I thought so," the earl said.

"This is a creature of a political enemy.

I have seen him in his antechamber.