"The Killigrews of Endellion!" he cried, when I had finished my history. "Ah, lad, they are as deep as Dozmary Pool and as full of evil. No one knows what they are. Some say they are no better than a gang of robbers, others that they are angels of light. One report hath it that they are plotting treason against the King, another that they spend their time in finding out traitors and bringing them to book. Sir John Dingle believes that they intend sailing with the wind. If the Pretender's cause fails, as doubtless it will, for England will have no high monarchy and no popery, these Killigrews will put in a strong plea for reward; but if this young Charles ousts King George, which God forbid, then they will prove that they have raised an army for him. But you can't catch 'em, Roger Trevanion. Did you ever catch eels? I have; but it's slippery work, slippery work. You must sand your hands well, and then they are so slimy that they will slide through your fingers." "I believe all that, and I know there is a _prima facie_ case against me. But I dare not tell all." This I said hesitatingly, for I hardly knew my man. "Daren't tell all; what do you mean?" "Well, it is true I went to Endellion; true that I said many of the things laid to my charge, but my visit there had nothing to do with political matters." "What then? A woman?" I was silent, and I felt the hot blood rush to my face. "A woman! ha! ha!" laughed Pyper. "But did you tell my Lord Falmouth of this?" "No." "Why?" "Because I dared not, I feared to do her harm." "But who is she? Tell me the history of the business. Look you, Trevanion, I am sorry you are here; I know your family--who doesn't?--and I should like to see you well out of this trouble. You see I am not treating you like a prisoner." "I can tell you a little, but a very little," I replied. "Perhaps I ought to tell you more than I do; but I am bound by promises. I went to Endellion to carry away a lady from the house." "By Gad, you did! and you succeeded, you dog?" "I did." "Who is the lady?" Thereupon I told Pyper all I dared: enough, as I thought, to explain the position in which I was placed, but not enough to break my faith with Trevisa or to be of any service to the Killigrews. "But why did you seek to take the maid away?" "That I cannot tell at present," I replied. He was thoughtful for a second, and I began to see that Hugh Pyper had more brains that I had given him credit for; then he said: "And the name of this maid, Roger Trevanion?" I hesitated for a second. "I think I know," he went on. "Is she not the child of Godfrey Molesworth?" "Did you know him?" I asked "Know him!" he cried, "well. Why the woman he married was some relation of the Killigrews, that is why old Colman became guardian of the child. The mother was Irish. Godfrey Molesworth went to Ireland to marry her." "Was she a Catholic then?" "Yes. There was much talk about it at the time, for Godfrey was a strong Protestant."