“It has come to my knowledge, my lord, that a secret tribunal is in process of formation, the object of which is to take cognisance of the conduct of the judges; and first, of your conduct, my lord; it is a wicked conspiracy.”

“Who are of it?” demands the Judge.

“I know not a single name as yet.  I know but the fact, my lord; it is most certainly true.”

“I’ll have you before the Privy Council, sir,” says the Judge.

“That is what I most desire; but not for a day or two, my lord.”

“And why so?”

“I have not as yet a single name, as I told your lordship; but I expect to have a list of the most forward men in it, and some other papers connected with the plot, in two or three days.”

“You said one or two just now.”

“About that time, my lord.”

“Is this a Jacobite plot?”

“In the main I think it is, my lord.”

“Why, then, it is political.  I have tried no State prisoners, nor am like to try any such.  How, then, doth it concern me?”

“From what I can gather, my lord, there are those in it who desire private revenges upon certain judges.”

“What do they call their cabal?”

“The High Court of Appeal, my lord.”

“Who are you, sir?  What is your name?”

“Hugh Peters, my lord.”

“That should be a Whig name?”

“It is, my lord.”  “Where do you lodge, Mr. Peters?”

“In Thames Street, my lord, over against the sign of the ‘Three Kings.’”

“‘Three Kings?’ Take care one be not too many for you, Mr. Peters!  How come you, an honest Whig, as you say, to be privy to a Jacobite plot?  Answer me that.”

“My lord, a person in whom I take an interest has been seduced to take a part in it; and being frightened at the unexpected wickedness of their plans, he is resolved to become an informer for the Crown.”

“He resolves like a wise man, sir.  What does he say of the persons?  Who are in the plot?  Doth he know them?”

“Only two, my lord; but he will be introduced to the club in a few days, and he will then have a list, and more exact information of their plans, and above all of their oaths, and their hours and places of meeting, with which he wishes to be acquainted before they can have any suspicions of his intentions.  And being so informed, to whom, think you, my lord, had he best go then?”

“To the king’s attorney-general straight.  But you say this concerns me, sir, in particular?  How about this prisoner, Lewis Pyneweck?  Is he one of them?”

“I can’t tell, my lord; but for some reason, it is thought your lordship will be well advised if you try him not.  For if you do, it is feared ’twill shorten your days.”

“So far as I can learn, Mr. Peters, this business smells pretty strong of blood and treason.  The king’s attorney-general will know how to deal with it.  When shall I see you again, sir?”