Salisbury shrugged his shoulders. "That is beyond peradventure," said he, "but the laws will stand." "Of that I would speak nothing," replied Monteagle, "being neither King nor Parliament, but it hath been hinted that perchance the wind of discontent may fan into life a flame of----" "Thou hast relatives among the Catholics," interrupted Cecil, looking keenly at the other, "hast become a confidant?" Monteagle shook his head. "Nay," said he, "nor do I desire to mix in affairs concerning my former faith. Yet, I have knowledge of certain meetings which have taken place composed of sundry persons opposed to the policy of James." "The dogs cut by the lash herd together in their discomfiture," replied Cecil, "yet they fear to bite the hand which stung them." Monteagle frowned, for the words of the Prime Minister were not to his liking. "There is more," said he; "certain of those have been seen in France." "'Tis a most Catholic country," replied Salisbury, "and, perhaps, wishing to worship unmolested before their altars, some have gone thither for their religion's sake." "My lord!" cried Monteagle, perceiving the Minister was in a mood for jesting, "hast thou had no fear that some hidden danger might lurk beneath the calm exterior of the peace which covers England? Do not smile, but hear me. Thou knowest the Viscount Effingston is in France, at the Court of Henry, and hath mingled much with some who are close to the throne. Perhaps it may not have reached thine ears that some months back a bloodless duel was fought between him and one Sir Thomas Winter, a zealous Catholic and enemy to the King." "Ah!" broke in Salisbury, "thy speech grows interesting; and what brought about this duel?" "'Twas an insult cast upon me by this Winter," replied Monteagle. "Effingston chancing to hear, resented it, and an exchange of sword thrusts followed; but that is past. As I told thee this morning I received a letter from Paris in which the Viscount says he hath met this Winter and another, a soldier of the commoners, and----" "A second duel hath followed?" interrupted the Minister. "Not so," replied the other, "but being suspicious of the fellows, my son did set a spy upon them, feeling sure that no honest errand took them into France." "And what did he discover?" asked Salisbury. "That Winter and his companion sought many times audiences with certain high churchmen known to be enemies of England. Once, he chanced to meet them upon the street, when Winter flushed a scarlet and hastily passed. After this he learned that two Englishmen, one a soldier who had served the King of Spain, gained the ear of certain prelates and noblemen; that their conferences had been conducted with much secrecy, and having finished, the men left Paris in the night, taking poste for Calais." "And what then?" asked Salisbury, "did thy son learn anything concerning those secret conferences?"