In the course of a few minutes he
called me in. He had donned his Quaker disguise, and on the floor near
him was a small bundle of linen. Frances was weeping, and George's voice
was choked with emotion.
"Well, at last, Baron Ned, you are to be rid of me," he said, glancing
toward the bundle at his feet.
"What are your plans of escape?" I asked.
"I shall work my way down to Sheerness, where I hope to find a boat
for The Hague or the French coast. Lilly, who seems to know everything,
past, present and future, came last night to tell me that the king has
fifty men seeking me in various parts of England, especially the
seaports, and has offered a reward of two hundred pounds for me, dead
or alive, preferably dead, I suppose. If I go direct to Sheerness and try
to take a boat, I am sure to be examined, and I'm not prepared for the
ordeal. So I intend to preach my way down the river and induce the king's
officers to send me abroad by force."
"How are you off for money, George?" I asked.
"I borrowed ten guineas from Lilly," he answered.
"I thought you might be in need of money, so I brought fifty guineas from
the strong box under my bed," I said, offering him the little bag of
gold.
He hesitated, saying: "If I take the money, you may never again see a
farthing of it."
"In that case, I'll take my pay in abusing you," I replied.
"Do you believe he would, Frances?" asked George, turning to my cousin.
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