"Very well," he said at length, "I will relate the charges made against you. If you can clear yourself, well and good; if not, you must prepare for the consequences." Knowing not what might be written, and fearing Otho Killigrew's cunning (for I felt sure I saw his hand in all this), I foolishly called out for a public trial. "There is no need at present for a public trial," said Hugh Boscawen, who I could see was prejudged against me. "I am especially commissioned to deal with such as you." "Up to about fourteen days ago," he continued, "you were known to live a useless and dissolute life. Instead of taking your part in the service of the country, your time was spent in gaming, drinking, and such like foolish pursuits. Do you deny this?" "I do not," I replied. "I acted as many others are acting. Perchance some of the many sons of your late father behave little differently even to-day. But is there aught that smacks of treason in this?" "No; but even while living this life, you often let hints drop concerning the danger of our gracious King, and the coming of the young Pretender." "But never to favour his coming," I replied. "This taken by itself would have but little meaning," he went on; "but subsequent events cause your words to have grave import." "What subsequent events, my lord?" I asked hotly. "About fourteen days ago you left your home, and rode away alone. Will you tell me the object of your journey?" I was silent, for in truth I cared not to tell this man about the flight of the maid Nancy. "You are silent. If your journey was honourable, what need is there for seeking to hide it?" "My lord," I said, "most of us have our secrets. They may be innocent enough, but still we do not care to have them made public property." "Ordinarily that may be true," he replied; "but remembering the charge against you, I shall require you to state why you left Trevanion." "For no traitorous purpose, my lord, that I will swear. My reason for leaving home had nothing whatever to do with the coming of the Pretender." "Out of your own mouth I will convict you," he replied. "Did you not tell Colman Killigrew, of Endellion, that you came to see him for the very purpose of seeking to help the enemy of the King?" The words came upon me like a thunderbolt. I saw now that my position was more dangerous than I had conceived. "Believe me, my lord," I cried, "I had another purpose in going to Endellion. I, hearing that Killigrew favored Charles Stuart, used that as a means whereby I might enter his house." "You told him a lie." "It was necessary in order to accomplish that on which I had set my mind." "You admit telling a lie to him. How do I know you would not tell a lie to me?" "But it is well known that the Killigrews are enemies of George II.," I cried. Hugh Boscawen smiled scornfully. Not great of intellect, he nevertheless sought to impress me with his erudition.