He turned back again into the room, leaving the door wide open. "I have summoned the main guard," he said. "I shall deliver you prisoner to the Lord Protector." At this moment a shadow darkened the room, the light no longer streamed through the loopholes of the barricades. One would have thought that a cloud had passed over the sun, but for a shrill whistle sounding without, and a heavy clang of steel. "Call the main guard," said the American, derisively. With a deafening crash the barricades which filled the window fell down in splintered masses to the floor. Outside lay the great steel hull of the _Mary Rose_, the doors in her side flung open, her gangway lowered upon the balcony. Upon the gangway were a company of sailors grounding a heavy beam, with which they had forced the window. An officer brought them to the salute with drawn cutlasses. "Now, Duke," said Brand, "hand over your sword." But even while he spoke there came a rush of men at the double, troopers of the guard, who presently formed up within the room. "Surrender your yacht," cried Gloucester. "She is commanded with machine guns from every salient of the main front." "At the first shot," said Brand, "I shall blow up every cartridge in the Palace, and explode every loaded gun. Call your Guardsmen to lay down their carbines, lest they be blown to pieces." Gloucester laughed at the threat, but Trooper Lord Sydney stood forward at the salute. "Sir, Mr. Brand speaks the truth. He released me from gaol by this mysterious power of the ship." Through the silence which followed there came a burst of cheering, the noise of a multitude of people who were attending her Majesty from St. Paul's Cathedral. "Your Royal Highness," said Brand; "you found me closeted with Prince Ali. You charge me with treason against our Lady?" "Yes." "To our Lady, and to her only, will I yield myself prisoner." The Duke flushed at the generosity which saved him from exposure as Ulster's agent. He bowed in assent and remained silent. "If a man moves without my consent," said the American, "I shall destroy the Palace. But you may send one messenger to the Queen." A messenger was sent, who presently came to her Majesty, finding her hurt and angry that the main guard should not be in attendance to give her welcome. But before she appeared, Mr. Brand walked to the gangway of the yacht and in a low voice bade her commander await further orders at Tower Hill. Turning, he came back to his place in the middle of the room. Her Majesty stood in the doorway, and to her the Duke of Gloucester made his accusation against the Master of Lyonesse, telling how he had been found in privacy with Prince Ali of Haidar, and how he had resisted arrest until she came. Mr. Brand walked with bowed head to the Queen, and kneeling upon one knee, looked up in her face.