"He's had more than he can carry already," I whispered. Carford turned straight to the Duke, crying, "Mr Dale here says that your Grace is drunk." He made nothing by the move, for the Duke answered good-humouredly, "Truly I am drunk, but in the legs only, my good Simon. My head is clear, clear as daylight, or the----" He looked round cunningly, and caught each of us by the arm. "We're good Protestants here?" he asked with a would-be shrewd, wine-muddled glance. "Sound and true, your Grace," said Carford. Then he whispered to me, "Indeed I think he's ill. Pray run for the King's physician, Mr Dale." "Nay, he'd do well enough if he were alone with me. If you desire the physician's presence, my lord, he's easy to find." I cared not a jot for Carford's anger, and was determined not to give ground. But we had no more time for quarrelling. "I am as loyal--as loyal to my father as any man in the kingdom," said the Duke in maudlin confidence. "But you know what's afoot?" "A new war with the Dutch, I'm told, sir," said I. "A fig for the Dutch! Hush, we must speak low, there may be Papists about. There are some in the Castle, Carford. Hush, hush! Some say my uncle's one, some say the Secretary's one. Gentlemen, I--I say no more. Traitors have said that my father is----" Carford interrupted him. "Don't trouble your mind with these slanders, sir," he urged. "I won't believe it. I'll stand by my father. But if the Duke of York--But I'll say no more." His head fell on his breast. But in a moment he sprang to his feet, crying, "But I'm a Protestant. Yes, and I'm the King's son." He caught Carford by the arm, whispering, "Not a word of it. I'm ready. We know what's afoot. We're loyal to the King; we must save him. But if we can't--if we can't, isn't there one who--who----?" He lost his tongue for an instant. We stood looking at him, till he spoke again. "One who would be a Protestant King?" He spoke the last words loud and fiercely; it was the final effort, and he sank back in his chair in a stupor. Carford gave a hasty glance at his face. "I'll go for the physician," he cried. "His Grace may need blood-letting." I stepped between him and the door as he advanced. "His Grace needs nothing," said I, "except the discretion of his friends. We've heard foolish words that we should not have heard to-night, my lord." "I am sure they're safe with you," he answered. "And with you?" I retorted quickly. He drew himself up haughtily. "Stand aside, sir, and let me pass." "Where are you going?" "To fetch the physician. I'll answer none of your questions."