But despite the boisterous merriment an air of depression hung over many members of the company. This sudden accusation levelled at one of their comrades, for an affair so trivial in their eyes, and yet adjudged by the chief justice as worthy of death, roused an anxious terror in their hearts that would not be stilled. For if this man indeed be brought to punishment, upon whom might not the next thunderbolt fall; who could be accounted safe? Were they not all equally guilty, and equally open to betrayal? They eyed the judge nervously, and trembled while they laughed. Only Colonel Kirke made no attempt to hide his preoccupation, though it sprang from another cause. He sat grave, silent, biting his lips in thought, while that strange gleam of ferocity deepened in his eyes. At length Lord Jeffreys turned to his neighbour, and rallied him good-humouredly. "Come, Percy," he cried, "you don’t drink. Why, what ails you, man? Have you lost your heart to yon fair fool, eh?" "No, my lord. I’ faith, I have clean forgot her." "But not her story, eh?" asked the judge, glancing at him with a sinister smile, for he was quick to read men’s thoughts, and guessed at the anxiety in his companion’s thoughts. "Come, about this rebel officer of yours. What of him? Shall we wink at the matter?" His lordship was no hypocrite; that which he did, justly or unjustly, he made little attempt to hide, and certainly among his boon-companions, the taking of a bribe, or the winking at a fault were subjects for free discussion. Kirke pushed aside his glass, and leaned across the table, speaking in a low voice: "This is my affair, my lord. This is a matter for court-martial. Let me try the man." Jeffreys laughed good-humouredly. "What! you dog. You want to handle the crowns, eh! Is it a rich prize?" "There’ll be no crowns in this case," said Kirke with a grim smile. "This is a matter for punishment." "What, colonel! Turned honest, eh! Why, man, if all reports are true you’ve done the same yourself, a thousand times, tho’ certes you’ve more frequently pocketed the reward than spared the life." "Maybe. But they have grown restive on the subject at Whitehall of late, damn them! My Lord Sunderland has been pleased to complain. Well, we’ll make an example of this one." "Tut! man. Have your way, court-martial an you will, but never hang the fellow. His friends won’t pay for his carcase. There are enough and to spare for hanging; this fellow should yield a goodly profit."