"Your honour!" he began nervously, "I seem, in my zeal to obey your commands, to have mistaken the matter. These men are not your honour’s escort, but a party of dragoons riding from Bridgewater to Wells. Nevertheless, seeing the escort does not yet arrive, and learning your honour’s difficulty, they put themselves at your honour’s service. And their honourable commander craves the honour of waiting upon your honour in your honour’s room." A moment’s perceptible silence, then with a curt "’Tis well, bring him here," mine host was dismissed. The three fugitives waited in silence for the man’s return. Only when the soldier’s footstep sounded on the stairs, Captain Protheroe leaned forward and laid his hand on Barbara’s arm. "Do not be afraid, Mistress Barbara." he said quickly. "We will win safe through this somehow. Trust us." And Barbara, with trembling lips, smiled bravely back at him. "I am not afraid," she said simply. Then mine host, with many obsequious bows, ushered in the visitor. The officer was a big, blustering fellow, coarse of face, and rough in manner. He strode noisily into the room, and on seeing the captain burst into a boisterous laugh. "Ha, Protheroe, my boy! Well met. The fellow below couldn’t tell me your name or I warrant you I’d have been up here long before. What’s all this about your escort, eh? Lost your horse, two captures, and the fool of a trooper not yet returned. Ha, ha! Protheroe, you go well to work. ’Tis good I came this way, you’d scarce fancy passing the night here, eh? We are riding to Wells and can take you on with us." "Good!" answered the captain quickly. "But we’ve no hurry to start yet awhile. Sit down and drink, man, the night’s young enough yet, and my men may still come. Look you, fellow,"—to mine host,—"set out more wine, and then begone and see to the men below. And harkee, don’t come crashing in like a wild bull again; if we want you I will call. And if my men arrive, let them wait below. Now begone." Then he turned to his guest. "Come, Jonas, sit down, and drink; there’s no need to start for another hour." Captain Jonas was standing in the centre of the room, hat in hand, bowing elaborately to Barbara, and ogling her the while with his great protruding eyes. "By Jove, Protheroe!" he drawled, "is this your capture. Zounds! What a prize. You’re a hard man to keep such a beauty in limbo. Best put yourself under my protection, mistress; I’ll keep you safe. I’ll not swear to set you free, but at least I’ll wager that pretty face shall never waste in prison." Checking swiftly an angry movement from Ralph, Barbara curtsied with quiet dignity, and moved again to her seat at the table. "Oh, ho! a lady, eh? Who is she, Protheroe?" asked Captain Jonas in an audible whisper. Captain Protheroe shrugged his shoulders. "Pah! Only a rebel. Come, drink, man, and tell Us news. Where do you hail from?"