"I'll tell you why, Frank, my lad," said Drew quickly. "When your
mother leaves the Palace to go to Newgate, she must call here first."
"Here first! Why?"
"To see me. I shall be here with a very important message from my
father to yours. Tell Lady Gowan she must come, for it may mean the
saving of your father's life."
"But--"
"Don't raise obstacles, lad," cried Drew angrily. "Is there anything so
strange in her telling the servants to drive to her own house and
calling here first?"
"Then it is to take files and ropes," whispered Frank.
"It is to do nothing of the sort," said Drew sharply. "Such plans would
be childish. Lady Gowan will not be asked to do anything to help her
husband to escape. It can't be done that way, Frank. Now, then, you
are man enough to think for her in this emergency. Tell her what to do,
and she will cling to you and follow your advice. Will you do this?"
"Will I do it!" cried the lad. "Is there anything I would not do to
spare her pain?"
"That's good. Come here, and meet her afterwards."
"Yes, of course."
"Give her plenty of time first. Now ring for your old lady, and tell
her I am to stay and do as I like. And, I say, Frank, I'm starving. I
have eaten nothing to-day."
"Oh!" ejaculated the lad. "Well, that will please her."
"I must have a key to come and go."
"You shall do what you please, only pray be careful. Don't get yourself
arrested."
"Not if I can help it, lad. Now, be of good heart; we shall save your
father yet. It may not be till after his trial."
"His trial?"
"Of course. They'll all be tried and condemned; but we will have them
away, and perhaps James Francis on the throne even yet."
Frank looked at him searchingly, when Drew lay down again, as if
something was on his mind that he could not clearly grasp; but he said
nothing, and rang the bell, which was answered directly by the old
housekeeper.
"Mrs Berry," said Frank, "my friend here--"
"Mr Andrew Forbes, sir, yes."
"Hi! Hush! What are you talking about?" cried Drew, starting up
angrily. "I'm not here, my good woman. Do you want to send me to
prison?"
"Oh dear me, oh dear me!" cried the poor woman excitedly. "What have I
done now?"
"Nothing, nothing, Berry," said Frank hastily, "only it must not be
known that Mr Forbes is here. You must not mention his name again."
"Very well, sir," said the woman sadly; and she gave her young master a
reproachful look.
"My friend will have the front-door key, and stay here or come and go as
often as he likes."
"Very well, sir. You are master now," said the housekeeper sadly.
"He will be here to meet my mother, who will probably come over
to-morrow."
"Oh, my dear Master Frank!" cried the woman, brightening up. "That is
good news."
"So do all you can for my friend. He wants breakfast or lunch at once.
He's faint and hungry."
"Oh, I'll get something ready directly, sir."
"And you will be silent and discreet, Berry."
"You may trust me, sir; and I'll do my best to make your friend
comfortable. Will he sleep here to-night?"
"If he wishes, Berry."
"Certainly, sir;" and the housekeeper hurried away.
"That's right," said Drew quietly. "I don't think any one saw me come.
Now you be off, and don't fail to send Lady Gowan to comfort your poor
father in his distress."
They parted directly after, and Frank hurried back, and went straight to
his mother's apartments.