The thoughts of the previous day's shell-firing, however, put Sir Mark out of his head; and he was thinking whether it would not be wise to have the howitzer out once more to try the same experiments, when Sir Mark, who had been waiting since breakfast to gain an interview with Mace, and quite in vain, now joined him by the edge-stone of the race.

For Mace had had hard work to maintain her composure at the morning meal; having heard, as she had from Janet only just before, that Gil's ship had sailed.

She was not satisfied with their parting, for she felt in her heart that he would be troubled at the presence of Sir Mark, whose inopportune return had, as it were, cast a shadow on Gil's last day.

"But he'll trust me," she said, with a satisfied smile; "and he may.

There, I'll fret no more, for time will make all smooth, no doubt."

As to Sir Mark, she felt that she must be very plain with him, and trust to his being enough of a gentleman to cease what would degenerate into persecution if continued in face of her declaration that she could not listen to his suit.

So Mace brightened up, and told herself that there was no need to be at all uneasy about their guest, setting him down as a vain coxcomb, without giving him the credit for being, to gain his own ends, unscrupulous to a degree.

"Ah, Sir Mark," exclaimed the founder, heartily; "I've seen thy two fellows, and a hearty breakfast has set them right. They are none the worse for their last night's dip."

"Bodily, perhaps not, Master Cobbe; but mentally I'll vow that they are very ill. My followers are soldiers and gentlemen, and cannot suffer so great an affront without some heed. Those people with their leader will have to be hunted out of the place."

"Thou'lt want ships to limit them now," said the founder, drily; "for they are off to sea."

"What! at sea? Why, they were here but now."

"But now?"

"Well, last even," said Sir Mark. "They cannot be gone."

"Tut, man. Culverin Carr and his men work by night, when such as we are asleep. They were at the mouth of the river, where the sea beats on the sand-bar, before you woke this morning, I'll be bound."

"You seem to be well acquainted with their movements, Master Cobbe,"

said Sir Mark.

"Not I," was the reply. "When I've sold cargo to Captain Gil I ask no more except to have a written promise from him to pay me my money, which generally comes in sulphur and in Chinese salt. I never inquire into his sailings or comings-in. It is as well not, and they're pretty secret over them, taking on board, sailing, and the like."

"This is curious work, Master Cobbe, in his Majesty's dominions. Law and order seem to be held cheaply here. It was time something was done."

"And yet, sir, we have gone on for years, offending none, and have found life very bearable," said the founder, warmly. "_We_ owe no man aught, and we ask no favours from any. But you had business to do with me, Sir Mark. Shall we go in?"

"No," said Sir Mark, "I'll say what I have to say out here."

The founder softly rubbed his hands and wished that the great howitzer had not been replaced in the shed, for it might have been fired again, and its wonderful strength and carrying powers exhibited to the King's messenger. If he saw its value, and made good representations at court, that would be a large fortune for his child.

He rubbed his hands again, smiling to himself the while, till he awoke suddenly to the fact that Sir Mark was watching, when he seemed suddenly to tighten himself up, and gazed back shrewdly at his companion, who smiled and said--

"I came back to you, Master Cobbe, armed with great powers by His Majesty, to whom I have talked long and learnedly upon your works and knowledge of the arts and mysteries of making guns."

"That is well, Sir Mark," said the founder, smiling. "And what said his Majesty?"

"He left in my hands the power and discretion to order of you--largely-- sundry munitions of war."

"That is good," said the founder, rubbing his hands, as if the palms began to itch to feel the money.

"Hi was satisfied with the quality and workmanship."

"I tell thee, Sir Mark, that the equals of my pieces are not to be found in this country, search where you will. I take such pains to have naught but the toughest iron, and as to finish--"

"Exactly, Master Cobbe," said the knight, smiling in a half-cynical manner; "but that is your view of the matter."

"No man ever knew me to lie or to cheat in trading, Sir Mark," said the founder, hotly. "I will compare my pieces with those of any foundry in--"

"Yes, yes, exactly, Master Cobbe, exactly. But, hark ye, I have, as I tell thee, full authority to deal with thee, but everything depends upon my report."

"Try the report of the pieces themselves," said the founder, chuckling.

"There, speak out, my lad. If it be a case of commission, say what you require, and I'll tell thee at once whether I'll pay or no."

"Do you wish to insult me, Master Cobbe?" said the knight, haughtily.

"Insult thee? No, my lad, not I. Would it be any insult to offer thee a hundred or two for thine introduction?"

"Silence, man!" cried Sir Mark, angrily. "I am no dealer seeking a bribe, but one who would do you a good turn, if possible, at a very difficult time. You have enemies."

"If successful, didst ever know a man without?"

"And they have somehow given the King to understand that it was really you who supplied the conspirators with the powder for their deadly plot."

"But I swear--" began the founder.

"What good will that do, sir? An enemy swears against thee, and humours the king, who, so great is his hatred of such matters, lends willing ear to the charge, and would rather believe the treason of thee than not."

"That's a pretty state of affairs!" cried the founder. "Do you mean to tell me, Sir Mark, that the king would willingly believe an honest man guilty?"

"His Majesty gives much of his time to two subjects--that of witchcraft and that of schemes against his person. You know how deadly a plot was laid against him by his Papist enemies?"

"Ay, I know all that; but--"

"Hear me out, Master Cobbe, then you shall speak to your heart's content. Here is the case. It has been reported to his Majesty that you are a great factor of deadly gunpowder; that you sell it largely to his Majesty's enemies; and that at the present time you are receiving into your house a Papist spy--one Father Brisdone, who is making arrangement for a fresh supply of powder for some new plan."

"It's a lie!" roared the founder, striking his doubled fist in his opened hand. "Now, look here, Master Ambassador, or whatever you call yourself, how comes his Majesty to know aught about my powder and Father Brisdone? It strikes me, sir, that yours have been the lips that made the mischief."

Sir Mark was taken aback by this outburst, but he recovered himself pretty quickly.

"I will not take offence, neither will I argue with you upon such a point, Master Cobbe," he said, coldly. "Let me ask you this--Was mine the speech that gave evil report of thee to the King, which said evil report first brought me down?"

"True!" exclaimed the founder. "I beg thy pardon, my lad. There is some busy meddling rascal, then, who tells tales of me and mine. Well, all I say is, let him look to it. I would not be he for a something if we two stood together some night by the mill-pool."

"You would not throw him in?" said Sir Mark.

"No; but I might push him in, and leave him to get out how he could.

But there, you can send word to his Majesty that he has been deceived.

Certainly I sell powder to go abroad along with my guns--powder made of the softest dogwood charcoal we can burn."

"Yes," said Sir Mark; "I could, as you say, send word to his Majesty that it is not so, but it would require backing up with stronger asseveration."