Another long silence ensued, in the course of which Barker alone, amid the motionless army, strolled and stamped in his restless way. Then Buck suddenly leant forward. "It's taking your money, your Majesty," he said. "I knew it was. There comes the herald from Adam Wayne." "It's not," cried the King, peering forward also. "You brute, it's a red omnibus." "It's not," said Buck, calmly; and the King did not answer, for down the centre of the spacious and silent Church Street was walking, beyond question, the herald of the Red Lion, with two trumpeters. Buck had something in him which taught him how to be magnanimous. In his hour of success he felt magnanimous towards Wayne, whom he really admired; magnanimous towards the King, off whom he had scored so publicly; and, above all, magnanimous towards Barker, who was the titular leader of this vast South Kensington army, which his own talent had evoked. "General Barker," he said, bowing, "do you propose now to receive the message from the besieged?" Barker bowed also, and advanced towards the herald. "Has your master, Mr. Adam Wayne, received our request for surrender?" he asked. The herald conveyed a solemn and respectful affirmative. Barker resumed, coughing slightly, but encouraged. "What answer does your master send?" The herald again inclined himself submissively, and answered in a kind of monotone. "My message is this. Adam Wayne, Lord High Provost of Notting Hill, under the charter of King Auberon and the laws of God and all mankind, free and of a free city, greets James Barker, Lord High Provost of South Kensington, by the same rights free and honourable, leader of the army of the South. With all friendly reverence, and with all constitutional consideration, he desires James Barker to lay down his arms, and the whole army under his command to lay down their arms also." Before the words were ended the King had run forward into the open space with shining eyes. The rest of the staff and the forefront of the army were literally struck breathless. When they recovered they began to laugh beyond restraint; the revulsion was too sudden. "The Lord High Provost of Notting Hill," continued the herald, "does not propose, in the event of your surrender, to use his victory for any of those repressive purposes which others have entertained against him. He will leave you your free laws and your free cities, your flags and your governments. He will not destroy the religion of South Kensington, or crush the old customs of Bayswater." An irrepressible explosion of laughter went up from the forefront of the great army. "The King must have had something to do with this humour," said Buck, slapping his thigh. "It's too deliciously insolent. Barker, have a glass of wine." And in his conviviality he actually sent a soldier across to the restaurant opposite the church and brought out two glasses for a toast. When the laughter had died down, the herald continued quite monotonously--