nce--"

Master Peter rubbed his grimy hands.

"Why, it were fine," he admitted, gleefully; then added, with
cunning, "Are you sure he is a Roundhead?"

"I am very sure he is your enemy," Brilliana answered, sharply, "for
he makes you his daily jape."

The ugly boar-head looked uglier as it growled:

"Does he, the dog! I'd jape him if I gad my two hands upon him."

"Why," Brilliana asserted, now in the full tide of make-believe, "if
you are a King's man, he will be of the other side, he hates you so.
I cannot think how you have earned his hatred, unless, indeed--" and
she broke off suddenly and looked aside. Halfman would have given a
shilling for a lonely place to laugh his fill in.

"Well, madam, well?" Master Rainham questioned, eagerly.

Brilliana faltered her answer.

"--unless he believes you stand higher in the graces of a certain
lady than he can ever hope to stand."

Master Rainham's smile gave Halfman the feel of goose-flesh.
Brilliana's face was, happily, averted.

"Madam, assure me 'tis so," grunted boar's-head.

"I must not say much," Brilliana protested, "no more than this, that
in this enterprise, if you but achieve it, you will win great credit
with the King at no cost to yourself, you spoil a rival, and--but
this is very private--you will give great pleasure to that same
nameless lady."

Master Peter shouted, "Why, then, all's well. I will pick him as
clean as a whistle." Again caution overcrowded cheer. "But I must
pick my time, look you."

On this, Brilliana became emphatic.

"No time like the present. It is to my certain knowledge that Master
Paul is away from home to-day." Again she looked to Halfman for
support, and again Halfman yielded it blithely.

"Ay, he has gone hawking," he declared; "he will not be home this
great while."

Halfman's confirmation decided Master Peter.

"Why, I go at once. When the cat's away--! I will be back within the
hour."

"Then," said Brilliana, "pray you go to the house and gather in my
name from the servants' hall such men as you may need for your
enterprise. Use despatch, for indeed I long for your return."

Master Peter paid her what he believed to be a courtly bow.

"That same nameless lady shall praise me," he chuckled, and, turning,
made for the house with all speed. When they were alone, Brilliana
and Halfman looked at each other with the mirth of children who have
successfully raided an orchard.

"I have netted them," Brilliana sai