“We were not forgetful of your father’s case, and we debated long as to whether our remaining here could do him service.  We even discussed the possibility of raising a force, and attacking Lancaster Castle.  We agreed, however, that this would be nothing short of madness.  The country is wholly unprepared at present.  The Whigs are on the alert, and such an attempt would cost the lives of most of those concerned in it.  Besides, we are all sure that Sir Marmaduke would be the first to object to numbers of persons risking their lives in an attempt which, even if, for the moment, successful, must bring ruin upon all concerned in it.  Nor do we see that, were we to remain and to stand in the dock beside him, it would aid him.  Our word would count for no more than would this protest and denial that we have signed together.  A prisoner’s plea of not guilty has but a feather’s weight against sworn evidence.

“At the same time, Charlie, I do not intend to leave the country until I am sure that nothing can be done.  As force is out of the question, I have advised the others to lose not an hour in trying to escape and, by this time, they are all on the road.  Two are making for Bristol, one for Southampton, and two for London.  It would be too dangerous to attempt to escape by one of the northern ports.  But, though force cannot succeed, we may be able to effect your father’s escape by other means, and it is for this purpose that I am determined to stay, and I shall do so until all hope is gone.  Alone you could effect nothing; but I, knowing who are our secret friends, may be able to use them to advantage.

“We will stay here tonight, but tomorrow we must change our quarters, for the search will be a close one.  During the day we will go far up over the hills, but tomorrow night we will make for Lancaster.  I have warned friends there to expect us, and it is the last place where they would think of searching for us.”

“You will take me with you, too, father?” Harry exclaimed eagerly; while Charlie expressed his gratitude to Mr. Jervoise, for thus determining to risk his own life in the endeavour to effect the escape of Sir Marmaduke.

“Yes, I intend to take you with me, Harry.  They will pretend, of course, that, in spite of our assertions of innocence, our flight is a confession of guilt, and you may be sure that we shall be condemned in our absence, and our estates declared confiscated, and bestowed upon some of William’s minions.  There will be no place for you here.

“My own plans are laid.  As you know, your mother came from the other side of the border, and a cousin of hers, with whom I am well acquainted, has gone over to Sweden, and holds a commission in the army that the young king is raising to withstand Russia and Saxony; for both are thinking of taking goodly slices of his domains.  I could not sit down quietly in exile, and, being but forty, I am not too old for service, and shall take a commission if I can obtain it.  There are many Scottish Jacobites who, having fled rather than acknowledge Dutch William as their king, have taken service in Sweden, where their fathers fought under the great Gustavus Adolphus; and, even if I cannot myself take service, it may be that I shall be able to obtain a commission for you.  You are nearly sixteen, and there are many officers no older.