"Sir James has every hope," she said, and added miserably: "I know not which to pray for, his recovery or his death." "Why that ?" "Because if he survive it may be for worse.

The secretary's agent is even now seeking evidence against him among his own papers.

He is in the library at this moment, going through his lordship's desk." Mr.Caryll started.

That mention of Ostermore's desk brought vividly before his mind the recollection of the secret drawer wherein the earl had locked away the letter he had received from King James and his own reply, all packed as it was, with treason.

If that drawer were discovered, and those papers found, then was Ostermore lost indeed, and did he survive this apoplexy, it would be to surrender his head upon the scaffold.
A moment he considered this, dispassionately.