course, excepting Castlemain, who was rapidly losing her head in anger.

After the duchess had spoken, the king asked, with as careless an air as
he could assume:--

"At what hour, sister, did Mistress Jennings leave your parlor?"

"I think it was about four o'clock," replied her Grace. "She asked
permission to spend the night with her father, and Baron Clyde called
about four o'clock to escort her. Was not that the hour, baron?"

"Yes, your Grace," I answered, bowing. "I accompanied my cousin to
her father's house, returned later to fetch her back to the palace,
but she did not care to face the storm, so I remained till ten o'clock,
returned to Whitehall, and slept till morning. Here is another witness,"
I continued, laughing, as I turned to John Churchill, who was standing
near the king. "Step forward, Churchill, and testify. I left him making
his suit to one of the most interesting ladies in London."

The king turned with an inquiring look, and Churchill answered: "Yes,
your Majesty, it is all true. I was making my suit until near the hour
of eleven, when Mistress Jennings, who was ill, told me it was time to
go home. If she was kidnapped Sunday night, it was before five o'clock
or after eleven."

I flattered myself that we had all done a neat bit of convincing lying in
a good cause.

"Odds fish!" mumbled the king, pulling his chin beard, evidently puzzled.