"How now, corporal?" demanded the captain sharply, "What is the meaning of this? I came riding down the lane when I find three troopers crouching by the gate yonder, for all the world like conies in their burrow, and I learn, forsooth, that you have surrounded this house and were even about to force an entrance. What warrant have you for this, and why was I not informed sooner of the matter? Must I again teach you, sirrah, that you take too much upon yourself?" The corporal regarded him sulkily. "There is a traitor within, captain," he muttered. "Bah! another of your mare’s nests, I make no doubt. What proof have you?" "Proof enough and to spare," answered the corporal stoutly. "Witness my own eyes and ears," and he rapidly reported all that had passed. The captain’s face hardened as he listened and he glanced sharply up at the house. "Ah! it seems you are on the right track for once. But zounds, fool," he continued angrily, "why, in Heaven’s name, didn’t you trap him before he entered the house and leave the women-folk in peace? I warrant we’ll have a bad business now. Dolt! Well, there is no other way now. Knock again and on with the work. ’Twill be a wretched business," he muttered with a shrug and a wry smile. The corporal again knocked loudly, and after a considerable interval, footsteps were heard inside, and a voice demanded timidly who was there. "Open at once, i’ the King’s name," roared the corporal. "Marry, then, which king?" answered the voice, "there be so many kings nowadays." "Open in the name of King James," was the angry answer. "Now wherefore King James? King Monmouth was far better favoured," answered the voice. "Zounds, fellow!" interrupted the captain angrily, "wouldest parley all day?" Then dealing a furious blow on the door, he shouted angrily: "An ye open not instantly, I must break in the door." "Beshrew me! Here’s a gentle visitor!" was the answer, and then the door yielded to their pressure and the captain, followed by the corporal and three troopers, entered the house. They paused, however, on the threshold, and Captain Protheroe muttered a despairing exclamation, for the hall was empty save for Mistress Barbara, who, dropping them a mocking curtsey, demanded gravely to what cause she owed the honour of such a visit. Captain Protheroe quickly recovered his composure and bowed politely, mentally observing that never before had he done full justice to the girl’s beauty, or fully realised the fascination that may lurk in soft dark curls trailing over a snowy forehead and nestling into the nape of a beautifully formed neck. "It grieves me to be thus forced to intrude upon your privacy, Mistress Winslow," he began gently, "but I must obey orders. Methinks you need scarcely pretend ignorance as to the reason of my presence."