"Come and take him if you want him," and once more the tumult grew, while Peter and his companions made ready to fight.
Fighting there would have been also, notwithstanding all that d'Aguilar could do to prevent it; but of a sudden the noise began to die away, and a hush fell upon the place.

Then between the uplifted weapons walked a short, richly clad man, who turned suddenly and faced the mob.

It was King Henry himself.
"Who dare to draw swords in my streets, before my very palace doors ?" he asked in a cold voice.
A dozen hands pointed at Peter.
"Speak," said the king to him.
"Margaret, come here," cried Peter; and the girl was thrust forward to him.
"Sire," he said, "that man," and he pointed to the corpse of Andrew, "tried to do wrong to this maiden, John Castell's child.

I, her cousin, threw him down.

He drew his sword and came at me, and I killed him with my staff.