"Then you have but a few minutes wherein to refresh yourself, dear uncle, and I will not speak again, nor allow you to do so till you have eaten." Sir John's serious face relaxed into a smile, and he proceeded to obey. The minutes flew by, and soon Sir John's major-domo entered the room, after a discreet knock at the door. "Two visitors await you in the library, Sir John. They did not give me their names, but they said they came by appointment." Sir John rose at once. "You will see that no one disturbs our conference in the library," he said to his servant. "And you, my children, await my return here; please God, I may have good news to bring you." Then he proceeded to the library. The two visitors stood near the great hearth, where a fire sparkled, for the morning was chilly. Hastening towards them, Sir John fell on one knee at the foot of the Cardinal, who, with a kindly smile, extended his hand towards him. The Treasurer reverently kissed it. Yet did he not kiss the hand of the great Churchman in his character of a Prince of the Roman Church, but rather because he saw in Reginald Pole a Plantagenet in whose veins ran royal blood. Then, rising, he warmly saluted the Ambassador, and at a courteous invitation from Sir John the three men took seats. The Cardinal opened the conference. "You are in trouble, Sir John, very grievous trouble, and there are many reasons why I should seek to bring you aid and comfort. I know from the Ambassador how great a service your two brave nephews have rendered to him, and when I saw them in Court to-day and marked their manly bearing, their evident mutual love, and the heroic loyalty of the condemned man as he cried 'God save the Queen,' I vowed to God that I would save him from the mutilating hand of the hangman and the pillory at Tyburn, if it lay in my power." There was a deep compassion in the Cardinal's voice, and his noble face flushed with a generous excitement as he spoke. He marked the unbidden tears which suffused Sir John's eyes, and grasping his hand he cried— "Have faith in God, Sir John, and hope for the best! Now tell me all about the Chiddingly affair from your own point of view; I heard the Pursuivant's tale, but I would fain have it supplemented by yours: I would know the motives which actuated Ralph, and what accomplices he had. [Illustration: "WILL YOUR BOYS VOLUNTEER FOR THAT SERVICE?"] Then tell me all about that heroic deed of rescue on the Thames. I would know the smallest detail of that gallant action, for therewith I trust to move the Queen's heart to mercy!" Then, folding his purple cassock over his knees, the Cardinal leant back in his seat and prepared to listen. With consummate skill Sir John performed his task, for which his legal training eminently fitted him. Thus half-an-hour swiftly flew by, and at the conclusion of the somewhat long narration the Ambassador spoke briefly.