Parkington nodded, but did not speak.--Marbury! The one man who could prove the theft! The man who could identify Long-Sword! Why should he have come to Whitehall--and at this particular time? "Was he not expected?" he asked, with assumed carelessness. "No," she replied. "He likely comes to see the Governor, on business which requires his personal approval." "I think I will hasten to Sir Charles," he said, now thoroughly alarmed. Meanwhile, Marbury had been met, as he neared the house, by Maynadier, who had noted his approach. "What does his Excellency want with me?" he asked. "Has it to do with the theft?" "It has--with the theft, and something more. We will go in--the Governor awaits you in the drawing-room; he will relate the exact facts." "Mr. Marbury," said Colonel Sharpe, laying aside the Gazette he was reading, and offering his guest a chair, "I have sent for you because I want your aid." "I appreciate the honor, sir," replied Marbury, "but, as I am the only person concerned, I request your Excellency to let the matter rest. Moreover, the money was returned; why should it not be let rest?" "I think you do not quite understand the situation," returned the Governor. "Let me, briefly, outline the facts...." Marbury listened, in impassive silence. The change of name did not affect him; he knew of another such, much closer home. But the stealing of another's identity, and the presentation of his letters, were serious matters to the Colonists, and, he admitted, any one who was guilty ought to be exposed. "I was sure you would see it as we do, Mr. Marbury, when you knew everything!" said the Governor. "Yes--the theft from me--if he _were_ the thief--was solely, my affair," was the reply; "this, however, concerns us all. If the one fit into the other, I shall bear my part." The Governor struck a bell; the orderly, on duty, entered. "My compliments to Captain Herford," said the Colonel, "and say, I wish to see him." The man saluted and withdrew. In a moment, Captain Herford entered. "Captain Herford, you will say, to Sir Edward Parkington and to Sir Charles Brandon, that the Governor desires their attendance in the drawing-room. Then, station the guard outside the windows, with two just without the doors. You understand?" Herford's heels came together, and his hand rose to his forehead. "Yes, your Excellency!" he replied, with a surprised lift of the eye-brows toward Maynadier. He found Parkington and Brandon together, pacing back and forth on the esplanade. He delivered his message curtly, faced about, and tramped off. These men were not to his liking, and in his official capacity, as his Excellency's aide-de-camp, it did his small soul good to treat them with scant courtesy. "Well, it has come!" said Parkington. Brandon was looking after Herford, with a frown. "That fellow," he observed, "needs to be taught some civility with a club--a walking stick is not stout enough to be effective."