Startled by such words, the king asked him in what manner was it
intended his life should be taken; to which he replied, "It might
be by pistol; but that to give a more particular account of the
matter, required greater privacy." The monarch, who quickly
recovered his first surprise, resolved to take his usual
exercise; and, subduing his curiosity, he bade Kirby attend him
on his return from the park, and tell him what he knew of the
subject.
When the time arrived, Kirby saw his majesty alone, and related
to him in brief that two men waited but an opportunity to shoot
him; and Sir George Wakeham had been hired to poison him; which
news, he concluded, had been imparted to him by a worthy man
living close at hand, who would attend his majesty's pleasure
when that was manifested.
Bewildered by such intelligence, yet suspicious of its veracity,
the king ordered Kirby to summon his informant that evening by
eight o'clock. When that hour came his majesty repaired to the
Red Room, and there met Dr. Tonge, who delivered his narrative
into his hands. The rector was convinced the great moment he had
so long awaited, in which he would behold the monarch aroused to
a sense of his danger, had arrived. He was doomed to bitter
disappointment. His majesty coolly took the narrative, and
without opening it, said it should be examined into. On this
Tonge begged it might be kept safe and secret, "lest the full
discovery should otherwise be prevented and his life endangered.
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