if they set
such store by their lean old gander, but they shanna lay a finger on the
Master.'

And he had nearly precipitated himself into the hands of the sturdy
rustics, who shouted with exultation, but with two strides Geordie
caught him up. 'Peace, Ringan! They shall no more hang thee than me,'
and he stood with one hand on Ringan's shoulder and his sword in the
other, looking defiant.

'If he be a young gentleman masking, I am not bound to know it,' said
Suffolk impatiently to Drummond; 'but if he will give up that rascal,
and make compensation, I will overlook it.'

'Who touches my fellow does so at his peril,' shouted George, menacing
with his sword.

'Peace, young man!' said Sir Patrick. 'Look here, my Lord of Suffolk,
we Scots are none of your men. We need no favour of you English with our
allies. There be enough of us to make our way through these peasants
to the French border, so unless you let us settle the matter with a few
crowns to these rascallions, we part company.'

'The ladies were entrusted to my charge,' began Lord Suffolk.

At that instant, however, both Jean and Eleanor came on the scene,
riding fast, having in truth been summoned by Malcolm, who shrewdly
suspected that thus an outbreak might be best averted.

It was Eleanor who spoke first. In spite of all her shyness, when her
blood was up, she was all the princess.

What is this, my Lord of Suffolk?' she said. 'If one of our following
have transgressed, it is the part of ourselves and of Sir Patrick
Drummond to see to it, as representing the King my brother.'

'Lady,' replied Suffolk, bowing low and doffing his cap, 'yonder
ill-nurtured knave hath been robbing the country-folk, and the--the
man-at-arms there not only refuses to give him up to justice, but has
hurt, well-nigh slain, some of them in violently taking him from them.
They ride in my train and I am responsible.'

Jean broke in: 'He only served the cowardly loons right. A whole
crowd of the rogues to hang one poor laddie for one goose! Shame on a
gentleman for hearkening to the foul-mouthed villains one moment. Come
here, Ringan. King Jamie's sister will never see them harm thee.'

Perhaps Suffolk was not sorry to see a way out of the perplexity.
'Far be it from a knight to refuse a boon to a fair lady in her
selle, farther still to _two_ royal damsels. The lives are granted, so
satisfaction in coin be made to yon clamorous hinds.'

'I do not call it a boon but a right