'Twas what I was advised." Mr.Caryll flashed a sidelong glance at Rotherby, who had turned to stare at his father, and in his heart he cursed the stupidity of my Lord Ostermore.

If this proposed to be a member of a conspiracy, Heaven help that same conspiracy! "Were you, by any chance, going to seek me in town, Mr.Caryll ?" Mr.Caryll suppressed a desire to laugh.

Here was a way to deal with State secrets.

"I, my lord ?" he inquired, with an assumed air of surprise.
The earl looked at him, and from him to Rotherby, bethought himself, and started so overtly that Rotherby's eyes grew narrow, the lines of his mouth tightened.

"Nay, of course not; of course not," he blustered clumsily.
But Rotherby laughed aloud.