"You must act on my suggestion to explain your presence, Lewis."
"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.
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