"I was but in time to wrest it from the hands of that spy of the Pretender's, who was in the act of destroying it when I caught him.

My devotion to his majesty made my course clear, sir--and I desired Mr.Green to procure a warrant for this traitor's arrest." "Sir," said Mr.Templeton, regarding him with an eye in which astonishment was blent with admiration, "this is very loyal in you--very loyal under the--ah--peculiar circumstances of the affair.

I do not think that his majesty's government, considering to whom this letter was addressed, could have censured you even had you suppressed it.

You have conducted yourself, my lord--if I may venture upon a criticism of your lordship's conduct--with a patriotism worthy of the best models of ancient Rome.

And I am assured that his majesty's government will not be remiss in signifying appreciation of this very lofty loyalty of yours." Lord Rotherby bowed low, in acknowledgment of the compliment.