"Sir," said my wife, looking him full in the face, "I give you my word of honour, as the daughter of the Earl of Clanranald, as the wife of Sir Hugh Richmond, for we were married three days ago in Scotland, that I mean no harm to the King, although he hath threatened me with much. I only wish to take from the person of my husband, he being otherwise occupied and so unable to hand it to me, a paper and a seal for your inspection." "Keep the woman back, Louis," began the King imploringly, but I thrust him savagely with the muzzle of my pistol and his voice died away. "Madam, I take your word," said Feversham, bowing gallantly. "Pass on." "By God!" exclaimed Jeffreys, "if you would let me deal with the woman, we'd have His Majesty freed from that knave in a moment. We could have held her as hostage, man." The King looked gratefully, the General scornfully at Jeffreys, who certainly had spoken shrewdly if too late. At that moment it repented me that I had not killed him when I had the chance. It was however now impossible to carry out his suggestion, even if Feversham had been so minded. My wife stood close to me and reached her hand into my breast pocket where I had thrust them, and drew forth the King's letter and the King's seal; in three steps she was by Feversham's side, showing by her approach a confidence in him that touched him evidently, and laid the paper in his open hand. "What's this?" asked the General. "Read, sir," answered Lady Katharine. He stepped nearer the light and opened the document. "'Tis a free passage and immunity for Sir Hugh Richmond and his wife, given without duress and signed by the King," he said. "This ring, you know it?" continued my wife. "The King's seal," answered Feversham. "Your Majesty, did you issue this pass?" "Yes," said the King, "but----" "Pardon me, Your Majesty," said I, pressing him a little harder in the back, "you gave me the document of your own free will, did you not?" "Yes, that is----" stammered the poor King, his face sweat-covered. "There hath been no one here could put any compulsion upon Your Majesty, hath there?" I asked, ruthlessly pressing my advantage. "No," he stammered out at last, "but I will revoke the pass." "'Tis too late," said Feversham bluntly, "unless by a written order." "And at this moment," said I grimly, "the King cannot write." "Good God, Feversham!" began the King, but he got no further. "This is monstrous!" cried my Lord Chief Justice. Feversham fiercely turned on him as a dog upon a rat. "This is a military matter," he roared. "Will you be silent? Sir Hugh Richmond, you and your wife by the King's written order are entitled to free passage; as loyal subjects of His Majesty, we respect his name and seal. Back, gentlemen. Way for Sir Hugh and Lady Richmond."