The king had just heard of the arrest when Buckingham arrived, and the latter found he was right in his 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 infatuation, and she hoped that she could procure Brandon’s liberty through Buckingham without revealing her dangerous secret.

Much to the duke’s surprise, she smiled upon him and gave a cordial welcome, saying:  “My lord, you have been unkind to us of late and have not shown us the light of your countenance.  I am glad to see you once more; tell me the news.”