In Honour's Cause Part 83

"Then you have something else to say?"

"Yes. Is your mother still so very ill?"

"Yes, very."

"That is bad; but ill or no, she must make an effort."

"Oh, she is making every effort to get my father spared," cried Frank bitterly.

"I suppose so," said Drew. "But look here; your poor father is suffering horribly."

"As if I did not know that!" cried Frank.

"And my father says that Lady Gowan must get a permit to allow her to go and see him in prison."

"Yes, of course," cried Frank excitedly.

"Go back then now, and tell her to get leave; the Princess will--must get that for her. They can't refuse it."

"No, they dare not!" said Frank, whose pale face was now quivering with emotion.

"When would she go?"

"As soon as possible--to-day if she could."

"To-morrow would be better," said Drew quietly. "She would go in her carriage, of course."

"Oh no; she would go in one of the royal carriages--the one used by the ladies of honour."

"Of course. I did not see that."

"I shall go with her," said Frank.

"No; she must go to him alone. You saw Sir Robert yesterday. My father thought of that. He said it would be better."

"I'll do anything he thinks best."

"Then go back now, and tell her to be calm, and to try all she can to be strong enough to see the Princess and get the permission."

"Yes, I'll go directly," said Frank. "But you? I don't want you to run any risks."

"And I don't want to. May I stay here till dark?"

"Of course."

"Then call up your housekeeper, and tell her that I am to come and go here just as if I belonged to the place."

Frank hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Yes, of course."

"I'll tell you why, Frank, my lad," said Drew quickly. "When your mother leaves the Palace to go to Newgate, she must call here first."

"Here first! Why?"

"To see me. I shall be here with a very important message from my father to yours. Tell Lady Gowan she must come, for it may mean the saving of your father's life."

"But--"

"Don't raise obstacles, lad," cried Drew angrily. "Is there anything so strange in her telling the servants to drive to her own house and calling here first?"

"Then it is to take files and ropes," whispered Frank.

"It is to do nothing of the sort," said Drew sharply. "Such plans would be childish. Lady Gowan will not be asked to do anything to help her husband to escape. It can't be done that way, Frank. Now, then, you are man enough to think for her in this emergency. Tell her what to do, and she will cling to you and follow your advice. Will you do this?"

"Will I do it!" cried the lad. "Is there anything I would not do to spare her pain?"

"That's good. Come here, and meet her afterwards."

"Yes, of course."

"Give her plenty of time first. Now ring for your old lady, and tell her I am to stay and do as I like. And, I say, Frank, I'm starving. I have eaten nothing to-day."

"Oh!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lad. "Well, that will please her."

"I must have a key to come and go."

"You shall do what you please, only pray be careful. Don't get yourself arrested."

"Not if I can help it, lad. Now, be of good heart; we shall save your father yet. It may not be till after his trial."

"His trial?"

"Of course. They'll all be tried and condemned; but we will have them away, and perhaps James Francis on the throne even yet."

Frank looked at him searchingly, when Drew lay down again, as if something was on his mind that he could not clearly grasp; but he said nothing, and rang the bell, which was answered directly by the old housekeeper.

"Mrs Berry," said Frank, "my friend here--"

"Mr Andrew Forbes, sir, yes."

"Hi! Hush! What are you talking about?" cried Drew, starting up angrily. "I'm not here, my good woman. Do you want to send me to prison?"

"Oh dear me, oh dear me!" cried the poor woman excitedly. "What have I done now?"

"Nothing, nothing, Berry," said Frank hastily, "only it must not be known that Mr Forbes is here. You must not mention his name again."

"Very well, sir," said the woman sadly; and she gave her young master a reproachful look.

"My friend will have the front-door key, and stay here or come and go as often as he likes."