“Indeed, there is no other course,” Sir Lewis agreed. “And you are in the same case, Captain King. You must confess that you joined with me but to betray Sir Walter. I’ll bear you out. Thus, each supporting the other...” “I’ll roast in Hell before I brand myself a traitor,” roared the Captain furiously. “And were you an honest man, Sir Lewis, you’ld understand my meaning.” “So, so?” said Stukeley, in a quiet, wicked voice. And it was observed that his son and one or two of the watermen had taken their stand beside him as if in readiness for action. “Why, then, since you will have it so, Captain, I arrest you, in the King’s name, on a charge of abetting treason.” The Captain fell back a step, stricken a moment by sheer amazement. Then he groped for a pistol to do at last what he realized he should have done long since. Instantly he was overpowered. It was only then that Sir Walter understood the thing that had happened, and with understanding came fury. The old adventurer flung back his cloak, and snatched at his rapier to put it through the vitals of his dear friend and kinsman. But he was too late. Hands seized upon him, and he found himself held by the men from the wherry, confronted by a Mr. William Herbert, whom he knew for Stukeley’s cousin, and he heard Mr. Herbert formally asking him for the surrender of his sword. Instantly he governed himself, repressed his fury. He looked coldly at his kinsman, whose face showed white and evil in the growing light of the early summer dawn “Sir Lewis,” was all he said, “these actions will not turn out to your credit.” He had no illusion left. His understanding was now a very full one. His dear friend and kinsman had played him false throughout, intending first to drain him of his resources before finally flinging the empty husk to the executioner. Manourie had been in the plot; he had run with the hare and hunted with the hounds; and Sir Walter’s own servant Cotterell had done no less. Amongst them they had “cozened the great cozener”—to use Stukeley’s own cynical expression. Even so, it was only on his trial that Sir Walter plumbed the full depth of Stukeley’s baseness; for it was only then he learnt that his kinsman had been armed by a warrant of immunity to assist his projects of escape, so that he might the more effectively incriminate and betray him; and Sir Walter discovered also that the ship in which he had landed, and other matters, were to provide additional Judas’ fees to this acquisitive betrayer.