"My Queen," he murmured, his voice inaudible to all but her. "I am plotting to outwit a deeper treachery. Let me be prisoner here with a trusted man to guard me until you can come to-night. Send overtures to Ulster, and promise to hand me over." "How can I believe you?" said the Queen, but her speech lacked force. How could she even pretend to distrust Brand now! "Oh, play the part," he whispered, "so much depends." "You have deceived me, I cannot trust you." But her voice was only a murmur without force. "Oh, be stronger, be stronger," he pleaded, seizing her hand. "I will not hear another word," she cried. "You shall, you shall." His voice rose high in supplication. "You must hear me before it is too late." She drew back astonished, but could not find another word to say. "Oh, be brave, little Queen," he whispered, passionately kissing her hand. "Gloucester!" Margaret called across the room; "hold Mr. Brand a prisoner here in this room. Let nobody come near or speak to him. Put a trustworthy man here to guard him." The Duke selected a man, his own orderly, but the Queen looked from face to face until she saw one that she fully trusted. "Lancaster!" Tom of Lancaster stood forward at the salute. "I place you on guard," said the Queen. Then Mr. Brand went over to Lord Sydney. "Gloucester is disloyal," he whispered, "guard the Queen." Suddenly her Majesty gave a startled cry. "You said Prince Ali was here with Mr. Brand. Where is Prince Ali?" Under cover of the general confusion Prince Ali had escaped from the Palace. XIII THE QUEEN'S MESSENGER Mr. Brand was seated at the office desk, his hands clasped before him as though in prayer. A sentry paced slowly up and down in the corridor, another trooper stood with carbine at support upon the balcony. Presently Mr. Brand rose, and walked slowly across the room towards the window, whereupon his warder turned with a startled gesture. The prisoner saw that he was but a lad, shy and comely. "Don't be uneasy," said Mr. Brand; "I give you my parole not to attempt escape." "You'd better not," remarked the sentry; "I'd like the chance of a shot." "Large game, eh?" "Rather!" "Don't you wish you were out there, fighting the rioters?" "I don't fancy battues," drawled the trooper; "but you're game, and in season." "The Palace seems quite unguarded now. All the troops are gone." "Two squadrons of the Guard are quite enough," said the sentry, "even to hold John Brand." "So you think I'm guilty." "Yes, sir." "Even before the trial?" "I beg your pardon, Mr. Brand. But if you are guilty I hope I'll be in the firing party." "It is good," said the prisoner, gravely; "that the Queen has loyal men. If the Queen finds me guilty, I shall beg you may be one of the firing party." "Thanks, awfully," said the sentry. "But if you don't mind, I shall get into trouble if I'm caught talking." "One word more. May I know your name. In case----" "Lancaster," said the sentry.