produced on popular opinion by those who know the value of false rumours); but that His Majesty should be dissuaded from doing anything of the kind.  Such then was the result of that first meeting to which I was admitted; and such more or less was our course of procedure all through the spring and summer.  This I have related in full, to serve as an example of our method, because, since it was the first, I remember it very distinctly.  In this manner I used the information I gained for the King’s benefit; and, at the same time the conspirators were led to believe that I was their tool, and no more.

* * * * *

The next important incident fell in the beginning of the summer.

Now, in the meantime I had learned, from Mr. Chiffinch for the most part, though there were some matters I was able rather to inform him about, that there were two separate and distinct parties amongst the conspirators.  There were those who intended nothing but some kind of a rising—­scarcely more than an armed demonstration—­and to this party would belong such a man as my Lord Russell—­if he were of them at all; and there were those who meant a great deal more than this—­who were hoping, in fact so to excite their followers as to bring about the King’s death.  But of these I found it very hard to get any names—­and quite impossible, so far, to obtain any positive proof at all.  The Duke of Monmouth, I knew, was of the moderate party; so, I thought then, was my Lord Grey—­but Mr. Algernon Sidney whom I met once or twice was of the extreme side.  But as to my Lord Shaftesbury, I knew nothing:  he was pretty silent always; and it was with regard to him most of all that we desired evidence.  It was this division of parties, no doubt, that hindered any action; the moderates were for ever trying to drag back the fanatics; and the fanatics to urge on the moderates; so that nothing was done.

From my diaries I find that I spoke with my Lord Essex no less than eight times between Christmas and July; I saw my Lord Russell only once as I shall relate presently, but did not speak with him:  the rest I met now and again, but never all of them together.  It was necessary, no doubt, that they should be well drilled before they could be trusted with me.  Mr. Rumbald I met about four times, and my Lord Howard but once.  I think all this time they were wholly satisfied that I passed on to Mr. Chiffinch what they told me, and nothing else; for he and I usually contrived to carry out part at least of their recommendations.

I first began to learn something of my Lord Russell’s position in the matter in a meeting in July, in the house of the Mr. Sheppard (whom I had met at Mr. West’s), that was situated in Wapping; and I learned something else too at the same time.  My Lord Essex; came for me in his coach that day, and himself carried me down. (I need not say that on these occasions I carried always some pistol or other weapon with me beside my sword, for I never knew when they might not find me out.)