Yet I
trust to succeed ere long; and my great business will be to prevent his
re-appearance, which would be fraught with danger to us both. I have a
scheme on foot in reference to him which will answer more than one
purpose. You will learn it anon. And now, to give you the explanation
you require in respect to Aveline."
And he stamped upon the floor.
"You are not about to invoke a spirit of darkness to our councils?" said
Sir Francis, staring at him in astonishment and alarm.
"You will see," rejoined the extortioner with a grim smile.
After a brief pause, the door was almost noiselessly opened, and Clement
Lanyere entered the chamber.
"What has Lanyere to do with the matter?" cried Sir Francis,
suspiciously regarding the promoter, who was without his mask.
"You will hear," replied Sir Giles. "Be pleased to inform Sir Francis,
good Lanyere, how you come to be in a position to demand the hand of
fair Mistress Aveline Calveley?"
"He demand it! I understand you not, Sir Giles!" exclaimed the old
usurer.
"Let him speak, I pray you, Sir Francis," returned the other. "You will
the sooner learn what you desire to know."
CHAPTER XV.
Clement Lanyere's Story.
"My tale shall be briefly told," said Lanyere. "You are aware, Sir
Francis, that in the pursuit of my avocation I am often led into the
most dangerous quarters of the metropolis, and at hours when the peril
to any honest man is doubled.
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