Cambridge raising train-bands, capturing college plate, and the like
naughtinesses, but he has not been so busy as not to hear how the
King's flag flies unchallenged from the walls of Harby."

"And shall fly there so long as I live," Brilliana interrupted,
hotly.

Halfman smiled approval of her heat, yet shook his head dubiously.

"It shall not fly long unchallenged," he continued. "That is my news.
Master Cromwell--may the devil fly away with his soldier's title--is
sending hither a company of sour-faced Puritans to bid you haul down
your flag."

Even as he spoke his heart glowed at the instant effect of his words
upon the woman. She sprang to her feet, with flaming cheeks and
blazing eyes, and struck her white hand upon the table.

"That flag flies," she cried, "for the honor of Harby. Whoever
challenges the honor of Harby will find it a very dragon, with teeth
and claws and a fiery breath."

Halfman sprang to his feet, too, and gave the gallant girl a military
salute. Every fibre of him now tingled with loyalty to the royal
quarrel; he was a King's man through and through, had been so for
sure from his cradle.

"Lady," he almost shouted, "you make a gallant warrior, and I will be
proud to serve you." Seeing the surprise in her eyes, he hurried on:
"Lady, I am an old soldier, an old sailor. I have seen hot service in
hot lands; have helped to take towns and helped to hold towns, and if
it be your pleasure, as it will be your prudence, to avail of my aid,
I will show you how we can maintain this place against an army."

Brilliana rested her hands on the table, and, leaning forward, looked
steadily into Halfman's face. He accepted the scrutiny steadily; he
was all in all her servant. She seemed to read so much.

"If your news be true," she said, "and if you do not overboast your
skill, why, I shall be very glad of your aid and counsel."

"Your hand on that, gallant captain," clamored Halfman, all aflame of
pride and pleasure. And across the oaken table the Lady of Harby and
the adventurer clasped hands in compact.

IV

THE LEAGUER OF HARBY

Halfman proved himself a creditable henchman. There was much to do
and little time to do it in, for any hour might bring news that the
enemy was near at hand. Brilliana, as he told her and as she knew,
would have done well without him, once she had warning of danger,
but, as she told him and as he knew, she did very much better with
him. There was no help to