"So Mr. Cutts having avoided the town before you arrived," he said presently, glancing up, "the direct purpose of your errand failed." I was about to reply when he added: "You have little cause to grieve in that, Denis, seeing his commission is cancelled and he to be apprehended for malpractices of which I have here the note before me." "I would all such villains were hanged as soon as apprehended," cried I, in a sudden rage at this disclosed infamy; but my father put up his hand peremptorily to stop me. "Hast ever heard of thine uncle Botolph?" he asked me presently, and with the same piercing glance as before. I told him yes, and that Peter Sprot had related some part of his story to me. "That was not altogether well," replied my father with a little movement of his brows, "and not what I looked for from his discretion." He set his ruff even and took up his pen as if to write, but sat so awhile without either writing or speaking. "I forced him to tell me," I said, for I thought he blamed Peter for what was truly my own curiosity. "Tut," said my father, "'tis a small matter, and being known saves many words to no purpose. I have received a letter from him," he said. This amazed me, for I had thought him (I know not wherefore) to be dead. "Why, where is he?" I asked. "He is in the Tower," said my father. At these words my blood leapt to my heart in a tumult, for I knew well enough what this meant, and that in such a time of danger as now we lived in, when all was suspicion and betrayal, few men that had once come into that foul dungeon ever left it living. Until now I had found frequent matter for rejoicing in this very process and summary action of the Council, being confident that 'twas for the better security of the realm, and deriding them that would have accorded an open trial to all, and the means of a man's clearing himself at the law. But now that our own family stood thus impeached, I had nothing to say, nor aught to think, but upon the terror of it and the disgrace to our house and ancient name. "What is the cause?" I inquired, when I had something recovered myself; but my lips were dry and my face (I am assured) as white as paper.