For some minutes neither spoke, and then Sir Mark began in a low husky voice. "Master Cobbe, I have come to you offering you friendship, and you reject it. I cannot be your enemy for your child's sake; but you compel me to bring force to bear." "Force, sir, what force?" cried the founder angrily. "Do you mean you'll carry her away? 'fore Heaven I warn you that the lives of you and your servants would not be worth a snap of the fingers did you try such a thing. There are more men here in this neighbourhood than you think for, ready and willing to fight for her at word of mine." "No, Master Cobbe; the force I bring to bear is of another sort. Mind, you bring me to this by your obstinate rejection of my suit. I now tell you that Mace must and shall be my wife, and that you will give her to me." "Indeed!" "Yes," said Sir Mark, "and soon. Listen: I hold the power here to seize upon this place in his Majesty's name; to arrest you for high treason as the man who supplied his Majesty's enemies, and as one who is now in league with papist emissaries. Stop, sir, hear me out. You are leagued with one Father Brisdone, a notorious follower of Spain; with a rough adventurer named Carr, who is more pirate than trader. In fact, you and yours are attainted, and at a word from me ruin falls upon you all." "And you will do all this with two men whom the very boys who work for me would throw into the Pool?" "I came in peace, with two men only, Master Cobbe; but a messenger would fetch twenty, fifty, or a hundred good swordsmen and harquebusiers to my side to seize your person, raze the works to the ground, and then--yes, then, Master Cobbe, your daughter would become an easy prize." "What you say is all false!" cried the founder, who sat aghast as he felt what a web the man before him had contrived to spread around. "False or true, I am no judge, Master Cobbe. I am here to execute the King's commands. The case is left in my hands to act as I see fit. If you prove a good subject of his Majesty, and supply him with the ordnance, well. If you refuse, you stamp yourself a rebel, and as one guilty of high treason." "But I do not refuse, Sir Mark; I offer to supply his Majesty." "You refuse the proposal of his servant." "Did his Majesty bid thee truck and bargain with me, making my child the price at which I should obtain this order?" said the founder, curtly. "His Majesty bade me do what seemed the best," said Sir Mark; "so what is it to be, Master Cobbe--Peace or war?" "War," cried the founder, angrily; and he brought his fist down heavily on the table. "As you will, Master Cobbe; but I warn you of your folly. You lose heavily in wealth and liberty, and you deprive your child of her natural protector, leaving her almost entirely at my mercy." "No," cried the founder, "not so. If by your lies and trickery I am snatched from her, there are two men who would take upon themselves the part of guardian. Father Brisdone would--"