[Transcriber's note: The source book had variant page headers. These have been changed to Sidenotes, positioned at the paragraph that seemed most pertinent.] [Frontispiece: RUMSEY'S GUILT REVEALED TO THE KING--_Page_ 272] Traitor or Patriot? A Tale of the Rye-House Plot BY MARY C. ROWSELL Author of "Thorndyke Manor" "The Pedlar and his Dog" "Fisherman Grim" &c. _ILLUSTRATED BY C. O. MURRAY AND C. J. STANILAND_ BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED LONDON GLASGOW DUBLIN BOMBAY PREFACE. This story is for the most part a romantic rendering of a very obscure episode in the story of the reign of Charles the Second. It does not pretend to more historical accuracy than belongs to other romances which are spun from a thread of fact on a spool of fiction, but it may be mentioned that the scenes and the actors are mostly real, and it should be remembered that the story of the Rye-house Plot (1683) as told in authentic records is strangely vague. That there was a plot--that the King's house at Newmarket was burnt, or at least that part of it containing the royal apartments was on fire--and that Charles escaped, are the certain points of the story. The details are left very much to imagination, and as fancy is free, "one story is good till another is told." CONTENTS. CHAP. I. "Queen Ruth" II. How a Mysterious Coal Barge came to the "King's Arms" III. Maudlin Sweetapple IV. The Old Rye House V. How Master Rumbold told Lawrence Lee what the very Air might not hear VI. Something in the Water VII. Mistress Sheppard does not care for her Guests VIII. Moonrakers IX. In the Malt-yard X. The Meeting on the Foot-bridge XI. "He Died for his King" XII. Mother Goose's Tales XIII. The Sliding Panel XIV. In the Warder's Room XV. The Plot Thickens XVI. A Little Difference of Opinion XVII. "Dead Men tell no Tales" XVIII. "God Save the King!" XIX. "Stars and Garters" XX. "A Friend in Need," XXI. "A Friend Indeed" XXII. Our Sovereign Lord the King XXIII. "Did you not Know?" she said XXIV. Lawrence Sleeps on it XXV. Supper at the "Silver Leopard" XXVI. "Fire! Fire!" XXVII. "In the Night all Cats are Gray" XXVIII. Father and Daughter XXIX. A Welcome Home XXX. A Traveller from Newmarket XXXI. Rumsey meets his Match XXXII. "So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know" ILLUSTRATIONS. Rumsey's Guilt revealed to the King ... _Frontispiece_ Ruth and Lawrence succour Sheriff Goodenough Lawrence Lee encounters Mr. Flippet Lawrence Lee saves the King TRAITOR OR PATRIOT? A TALE OF THE RYE-HOUSE PLOT. CHAPTER I. "QUEEN RUTH."