There was a loud, scuffling noise without, as of the trampling of many feet and the inarticulate growlings of wild beasts. Then Clupp entered the room, clasping in his mighty arms the long body of Master Paul Hungerford. He was followed by Garlinge, who was performing the like embracive office for the short body of Master Peter Rainham. The two angry gentlemen plunged and struggled impotently to free themselves from their guardians and hurl themselves at each other's throats. They might as well have tried to free themselves from clamps of iron. To the master-muscled Garlinge and Clupp--a strong Gyas, a strong Cloanthes, no less--they were no more difficult to restrain than would have been a brace of puling babes. Even their speech was not free to make amends for their captivity, for they were so brimful of choler and had so roared and shrieked their rage ere this that the torrent of their fury spent itself in vacant mouthings and splutterings. Sir Blaise eyed the brawlers with exceeding disfavor. "Gentlemen, gentlemen," he entreated, "be calm, I beg of you." At the sound of his voice the disputants found theirs, or rather found themselves restored to command over human speech. Each turned towards Sir Blaise, swaying over the clasped arms of his captor. "Sir Blaise," screamed Master Paul, "in the King's name I call upon you to commit this thief to jail." "Set that footpad in the pillory, Sir Blaise," yelled Master Peter. Then they turned upon each other again. "You rogue," cried Master Paul. "You rascal," answered Master Peter. In a second they were again struggling to get at each other, and were, as before, imperturbably held asunder by Garlinge and Clupp. Again Sir Blaise protested. "Good friends, be calm, I entreat you." "I'll cut his heart out," Peter vociferated, stabbing a dirty hand in the direction of his enemy. "I'll make him mincemeat," Paul promised, sawing at the air. Sir Blaise, turning away in disgust, saw how in the garden Brilliana was making for the house. He frowned on the malcontents. "Hush, here comes the lady." Even as he spoke Brilliana entered from the garden, followed by Evander and Halfman. The girl looked as bright as sunlight as she greeted the company. "Good-morning, Sir Blaise; good-morning, my masters." Then she burst out laughing at the furious faces and helpless gesticulations of the irate claimants. Her laughter was very delightful for most men to hear, but it goaded the squires to frenzy. "Sir Blaise," cried Master Paul, "I call you to witness that the lady laughs at us." "Sir Blaise," cried Master Peter, "there stands our undoing." Brilliana frowned a little and turned to Halfman. "Friend," she said, "will you see order here." "Very blithely," Halfman answered. He commanded the servants. "You, Garlinge and Clupp, see that your prisoners keep silence." Master Paul and Master Peter began to protest in chorus.