“You usually do, it seems.” “And we be a-comin’ into this cottage to find him!” “I think not!” Here Mr. Sturton pushed his way to the fore. “Look’ee here, you!” quoth he, wagging bodeful finger, “if you bean’t out o’ this in two minutes we’ll apprehend you as the accomplice o’ this curst smuggler, this rogue Potter as dared to fire on the King’s uniform last night. We means to get him if we ha’ to pull this cottage down. Are ye goin’ to let us in?” “Where is your search-warrant?” demanded Sir John. “Search-warrant be damned!” roared Mr. Oxham. “We are here to tak’ George Potter, aye—and the old witch along wi’ him——” “And I,” answered Sir John, slim hands disappearing into coat-pockets, “am here to prevent you.” The man Oxham swung up his stick, Sir John stepped lightly back, and his hands flashed to view, each grasping a small, silver-mounted pocket-pistol, very arresting for all their lack of size. “Look’ee, fellow,” quoth he, “I ha’ no particular desire for your blood, but come one step nearer, you or any o’ your men, and I break that man’s leg!” “Don’t believe him, lads!” cried Sturton. “He’d never dare; the law’s behind us; he’d never dare shoot; ’twould mean hanging or transportation.” “Very well,” answered Sir John; “pray step forward, Mr. Sturton, and see for yourself.” “Aye,” quoth Mr. Oxham, “you lead the way, Sturton, an’ we’ll foller!” Mr. Sturton scowled at the threatening pistol-muzzles, at the serenely determined face behind them, and hesitated, as well he might. And then, all in a moment, Sir John found matters taken entirely out of his hands; he saw an out-thrust, shapely arm, felt himself pushed aside with surprising ease, and my lady was between him and his would-be assailants. For a moment she faced the astonished crowd proudly contemptuous, and when she addressed them her disdain was such that despite hot anger she never thought to swear. “Animals,” said she, “get out of my sight!” For a moment was amazed silence, then rose a murmur, an angry growl. “Who be the likes o’ her to miscall the likes o’ we?” cried a voice. “She be nobody—look at ’er gownd!” Then Mr. Oxham spoke: