"As Mr. Brand remarks," said Prince Ali, with a low bow, "we are both prisoners, and her Majesty's command is that we must be delivered to Lord Ulster."
Gloucester drew a deep breath of relief. "Sir,"—he faced Mr. Brand—"I shall be ready to meet you when you are free to fight. For the moment——"
He strode to the door, and gave a rapid command to his orderly, who was waiting in the corridor.
He turned back again into the room, leaving the door wide open.
"I have summoned the main guard," he said. "I shall deliver you prisoner to the Lord Protector."
At this moment a shadow darkened the room, the light no longer streamed through the loopholes of the barricades. One would have thought that a cloud had passed over the sun, but for a shrill whistle sounding without, and a heavy clang of steel.
"Call the main guard," said the American, derisively.
With a deafening crash the barricades which filled the window fell down in splintered masses to the floor. Outside lay the great steel hull of the Mary Rose, the doors in her side flung open, her gangway lowered upon the balcony. Upon the gangway were a company of sailors grounding a heavy beam, with which they had forced the window. An officer brought them to the salute with drawn cutlasses.
"Now, Duke," said Brand, "hand over your sword."
But even while he spoke there came a rush of men at the double, troopers of the guard, who presently formed up within the room.