“Close the door, Clyde,” but seemed unable for the moment to say more.

He could not hide his excitement, and presently began telling me in a peremptory manner that he had a very delicate piece of business for my hands.  He did not seem to feel sure of his ground, and spoke with a bravado altogether unnecessary, as though he would say I should do his will whether it suited me or not, rather than in words of respectful command.  I could see easily that his bravado was assumed for the purpose of forestalling any objection on my part.  Of course he did not suspect for one moment that I surmised what he wanted, or his words would have been:  “Odds fish!  To the Tower with him!”

After several stammering efforts, he began:  “I want you to see Du Boise, whom you will find at De Grammont’s house, and tell him that I accept the offer he made this morning.  I understand he brings the treaties from France already written.  At eight o’clock this evening they are to be placed in the hands of your cousin, Mistress Jennings, together with the bill drawn on Backwell of Lombard Street, for the sum of one hundred thousand pounds.  Deliver my message immediately and secretly.  Let no one know that I have spoken to you on the subject.  After you have seen Du Boise, go to Mistress Jennings and give her word from the Abbe designating where and at what hour she is to receive the documents.  I suggest eight o’clock, that they may not be in her possession too long.  But wait a moment!”

He went to a writing desk standing near the river window, beckoned to me, and continued excitedly, “Sit here and write at my dictation.”

I sat down before the desk, took a quill, and awaited the king’s pleasure.  After a moment’s thought he dictated as follows:—­

“To MONSIEUR L’ABBE DU BOISE,

“Ambassador Extraordinary from his Majesty,
King Louis of France: 

“Out of love for my royal brother, King Louis, and for the purpose of maintaining the peace and amity now existing between the glorious realms of England and France, I accept his Majesty’s offer to purchase the city of Dunkirk, communicated to me at this morning’s audience.  You will therefore place in the hands of the bearer, Baron Clyde, two copies of a treaty consummating this transaction which I understand you have already written out.  With said copies you will also place a bill drawn in the sum of one hundred thousand pounds on one, Edward Backwell, goldsmith, Lombard Street, with whom I am told the funds lie, and for which this writing shall be your full acquittance.

“The treaties shall be fully executed by you on the part of your master, in accordance with the terms of your instrument of authority now resting with my Lord Chancellor.  When said treaties and said bill come to me, the treaties will be signed, and the copy intended for your master will be returned to you this evening so that you may carry out your instructions by leaving at dawn tomorrow morning.  To the which I give my reluctant consent and request that you leave England without further ceremony, believing that your duty to your master mounts superior to the mere observation of courtly usage in formal leave-taking.