s surmise that his majesty would at
once demand Brandon's release.

When the duke entered the king's room Henry called to him: "My Lord,
you are opportunely arrived. So good a friend of the people of London
can help us greatly this morning. Our friend Brandon has been arrested
for the killing of two men night before last in Billingsgate ward. I
am sure there is some mistake, and that the good sheriff has the wrong
man; but right or wrong, we want him out, and ask your good offices."

"I shall be most happy to serve your majesty, and will go to London at
once to see the lord mayor."

In the afternoon the duke returned and had a private audience with the
king.

"I did as your majesty requested in regard to Brandon's release," he
said, "but on investigation, I thought it best to consult you again
before proceeding further. I fear there is no doubt that Brandon is
the right man. It seems he was out with a couple of wenches concerning
whom he got into trouble and stabbed two men in the back. It is a very
aggravated case and the citizens are much incensed about it, owing
partly to the fact that such occurrences have been so frequent of
late. I thought, under the circumstances, and in view of the fact that
your majesty will soon call upon the city for a loan to make up the
Lady Mary's dower, it would be wise not to antagonize them in this
matter, but to allow Master Brandon to remain quietly in confinement
until the loan is completed and then we can snap our fingers at
them."

"We will snap our fingers at the scurvy burghers now and have the
loan, too," returned Henry, angrily. "I want Brandon liberated at
once, and I shall expect another report from you immediately, my
lord."

Buckingham felt that his revenge had slipped through his fingers this
time, but he was patient where evil was to be accomplished, and could
wait. Then it was that the council was called during the progress of
which Mary and I had tried to obtain an audience of the king.

Buckingham had gone to pay his respects to the queen, and on his way
back espied Mary waiting for the king in the ante-room, and went to
her.

At first she was irritated at the sight of this man, whom she so
despised, but a thought came to her that she might make use of him.
She knew his power with the citizens and city authorities of London,
and also knew, or thought she knew, that a smile from her could
accomplish everything with him. She had ample evidence of his
infatuat