“Hold thy peace, thou crazy fellow! Thou ravest,” cried Rodomont. “Not at thy bidding, base hireling of Spain,” rejoined Derrick Carver. “I hold thee in utter contempt. I am an Englishman, and will bend to no foreign yoke—a Protestant, and will never abandon my faith. I give my life for my country and my religion. Wilt thou give thy dog’s life for either?” “My patriotism and religious zeal do not lead me to turn assassin, Carver,” rejoined Rodomont. “Neither doth it become thee, who hath sold thyself for French gold, to talk of subserviency. I am a loyal subject to the Queen, and a foe to traitors, of whom thou, Derrick, art the vilest.” “Thou accusest me falsely,” rejoined Carver. “No French gold has ever touched my hand.” “Answer the question I am about to put,” said the Prince, approaching; “and beware! for thy life depends upon thy truthfulness. It is useless to deny that thou wert hired for this deed. Name thy employer, and I will obtain thy pardon from the Queen. I promise it on my royal word.” “You will not credit what I say,” rejoined Carver. “Why, therefore, should I speak?” “Look round this assembly,” pursued Philip, “and say whether anyone within it is known to thee.” “I see none but Spanish nobles and priests,” rejoined Carver, in accents of contempt. “Look again, Derrick,” said Rodomont “They are not all Spaniards. There is a Frenchman among them.” “It may be,” replied the wounded man. “What is that to me?” “Much,” replied Rodomont. “I pray your excellency to approach the litter,” said Philip to the French ambassador. “Readily,” replied De Noailles, advancing. “Have you ever beheld me before?” he said to the prisoner. “Equivocate not, but answer plainly, Derrick,” said Rodomont. “Have you ever beheld his excellency before?” “I have,” replied the prisoner. “I saw him last night, in a house near the West-gate.” “You are mistaken, Sirrah; you cannot have seen me!” cried De Noailles. “Truth only will avail you,” said the Prince to the prisoner. “What passed between you and his excellency?” “Not a word—not a look. I do not think he even noticed me,” rejoined Carver. “But there were others with you whom he did notice?” said the Prince. “Trifle not with me. It imports me to know who they were, and what occurred.” “The villain’s statement respecting me is utterly false,” cried De Noailles. “I did not stir from my lodgings last night.” “Your excellency must needs be in error there,” remarked Rodomont, “since you were seen and recognised in the High Street, about half an hour before this murtherous attack took place, thus allowing ample time for its concoction. Moreover, this letter found on the body of the ruffian slain by the Prince, may serve to prove your share in the dark transaction.” “I deny the charge altogether,” cried De Noailles. “’Tis a device of my enemies. When the matter is regularly investigated, and before a competent tribunal, I can easily clear myself.”