y's constable be here else?" said Swallow,
reaching for a pike, which trembled in his hand as if he had the ague.
"The country about's o'er-run with them; and I warrant 'tis thy new
wife's blue eyes they are after." He steadied himself with the pike and
took a deep draught of ale to steady his courage as well.

Buzzard started to crawl beneath the table, but the wary constable
caught him by his belt and made a shield for the nonce of his trembling
body.

The landlord's eyes bulged from their sockets as if a spirit from the
nether regions had confronted him. The corners of his mouth, which
ascended in harmony with his moon-face, twitched nervously. "Mercy me,
sayest thou so?" he asked.

[Illustration: MISTRESS NELL FINDS HAPPINESS.]
"And in thine ear," continued Swallow, consolingly, "and if thou see'st
Old Rowley within a ten league, put thy new huswife's face under lock
and key and Constable Swallow on the door to guard thy treasure."

It was not quite clear, however, what the constable meant; for "Old
Rowley" was the name of the King's favourite racehorse, of Newmarket
fame, and had also come to be the nickname of the King himself. Charles
assumed it good-naturedly. Assuredly, neither might be expected as a
visitor to Ye Blue Boar.

There came a more spirited knock at the door. The constable sought a
niche in the fireplace, whence he endeavoured to exclude Buzzard, who
was loath to be excluded.

"Pass the Dutch-courage, good landlord," entreated Swallow, in a hoarse
whisper.

The landlord started boldly toward the door, but his courage failed him.
"Go thou, Master Constable," he exclaimed.

"Go thou thyself," wisely commanded Swallow, with the appearance of much
bravery, though one eye twitched nervously in the direction of the
kitchen-door in the rear, as a possible means of exit. "There's no need
of his Majesty's constable till the battery be complete. There must be
an action and intent, saith the law."

"Old Rowley!" muttered the landlord, fearfully. "Good Master
Constable--" he pleaded. His face, which was usually like a roast of
beef, grew livid with fear.

Swallow, however, gave him no encouragement, and the landlord once more
started for the door.

On the way his eye lighted on a full cask which was propped up in the
corner. Instinct was strong in him, even in death. It had been tapped,
and it would be unsafe to leave it even for an instant within reach of
such guests. He stopped and quickly repl