"Does Herr Jack think," her eyes narrowing till naught but a line of
their beautiful blue-green could be seen, "that one of those would dare
take a liberty with me?"

"I hope he will not. I should have the unpleasant duty of punching his
head." If I could not kiss Gretchen nobody else should.

"You are very strong."

"Yes; and there are some things which add threefold to a man's
strength."

"Such as ----" She looked at me daringly.

"Yes, such as ----" Her eyes fell before my glance, A delicate veil of
rose covered her face for a moment. I wondered if she knew that it was
only because I clinched my fists till the nails cut, that I did not do
the very thing I feared the stragglers coming down the road might do.
"Come," said I, peremptorily; "there is no need of your welcoming them
here."

So we entered the inn; and she began furbishing up the utensils, just
to tease me more than anything else.

Outside there was a clatter of hoofs, the chink of the spur,
intermingled with a few oaths; and then the two representatives of the
King came in noisily. They gazed admiringly at Gretchen as she poured
out their beer. She saw the rage in my eyes. She was aggravating with
her promiscuous smiles. The elder officer noticed my bulldog pipe.