"  But  I  will  put  you  to  as  little  personal  inconvenience  as
possible.     You  shall  have  my  carriage."

"I  humbly  thank  your  royal  highness  for  your  con-
sideration, but  I  still  hope  I  may  be  excused  on  the  score  of
my  age  and  infirmities."

"You  cannot  expect  it,  Mr.  Bayley,"  interposed  Mr.
Murray.  "  Your  case  is  not  so  bad  as  that  of  the  two  magis-
trates, who  will  certainly  be  shot  if  the  money  is  not  forth-
coming."

""We  have  done  our  best  to  raise  it,  but  we  find  it  quite
impossible,"  said  Mr.  Fowden.     "The  amount  is  too  large.
248  THE  MANCHESTER  REBELS

I  do  not  tliink  there  is  five  thousand  pounds  in  the  whole
town."

"  I  am  sure  there  is  not,"  added  Mr.  Wallej,  with  a  groan.
*'  Since  you  give  me  this  positive  assurance,  gentlemen,"
said  Charles,  "  I  consent  to  reduce  the  amount  to  half.  But
I  will  make  no  further  concession.  Meantime,  Mr.  Bayley
must  remain  a  prisoner."

*'I  pray  your  royal  highness  fco  listen  to  me,"  said  the  old
gentleman.  "  By  detaining  me  you  will  defeat  your  object.
If  I  am  kept  here  I  can  do  nothing,  but  if  you  will,  >aUpWn^^
to  go  free  I  may  be  able  to  borrow  the  money."       ^UuS  R'rlVT

Apparently  convinced  by  this  reasoning,  Charles  spoke  to
his  secretary,  who  said  :

"Mr.  Bayley,  if  you  will  give  the  prince  your  word  of
honour  that  you  will  bring  him  the  sum  of  two  thousand  five
hundred  pounds  in  two  hours,  or  return  and  surrender  your-
self a  prisoner,  his  royal  highness  is  willing  to  set  you  at
liberty."

"  I  agree  to  the  conditions,"  replied  the  old  gentleman,     r

With  a  profound  obeisance  to  the  prince,  he  then  with-
drew with  the  magistrates.
