His friendship for Lord Carlisle also was of the most tender nature. He stood between his two friends as the adviser of Carlisle and the guardian of Fox. The latter was a brilliant politician, and a passionate gamester, who needed the good offices of a diplomat like Selwyn. Yet Selwyn’s most concern was to keep Fox within a sphere of usefulness, in order that Fox could pay back to Carlisle money that was loaned at the gaming-table. The interests of the three were so involved that one had to maintain the other in order to preserve himself; they repeated the story of Cæsar and Pompey. “I have the scheme,” ejaculated Selwyn, who was by this time growing enthusiastic over the idea of stopping the American War with the English valor that wins their battles when bayonets fail. “I am acquainted with a young man who is the secret agent of the Bank of England in France and has brought us the innermost information from the French Court by reason of his skill as a diplomat, and his pretended friendship for the American cause. “He is a personal friend of Dr. Franklin. In America he could be recognized as a supporter of the cause of independence while he kept your Commission informed as to the weakness within the American ranks. “You could induce him,” continued Selwyn spiritedly, “to undertake the mission by promising the highest position, that of Viceroy in the Colonies. You could also offer a peerage and vast landed estates in America for his success.” “No man could resist such inducements,” concluded Carlisle, as he drank in the plans with evident satisfaction. Fox sat there unconcerned as to details, but awakening out of a reverie on last night’s game remarked to Selwyn: “George, I am agreed. You talk well, but what is the man’s name?” As a matter of fact, Fox did not have so much concern about the Colonies, as he did about the vast sum of money that he owed Carlisle. He was ready for any expedient to pacify his creditor and give some excuse to put off demands on his depleted fortunes. If Carlisle should succeed in retaining the Colonies within the empire, and at the same time receive great personal treasures from the government, Fox’s personal obligations would be cancelled and a disastrous war would be ended. Selwyn, replying to Fox’s question, said persuasively: “His name, my dear Charles, is Roderick Barclugh, but for purposes of state it must be withheld until the plans are working. If you are agreed you can submit your plan to the King through the bank. I am sure that the King will take up your ideas as his own. Then he has to listen to those people that control his purse-strings, anyway.” Lord Carlisle, young and ambitious to recoup his severe losses, arose from the breakfast and said decisively: “Gentlemen, the plan is well conceived. If it fails to subdue the rebels, my name will sink to the depths of ignominy; but if it succeeds, I shall have the honor of serving my King as well as Warren Hastings at all events.”