“And whilst he considers, London burns to ashes!” cried the young nobleman in impetuous scorn.  “A plague upon his consideration and his reflections!  We want a man who can act in times like these.  Beshrew me if I go not to his Majesty myself and tell him the whole truth.  Methinks if he but knew the dire need for bold measures, London might even now be saved—­so much of it as yet remains.  If the Lord Mayor is worse than a child at such a crisis, let us to his Majesty and see what he will say!”

“A good thought, in truth,” answered Harmer thoughtfully.  “But surely his Majesty knows?”

“Ay, after a fashion doubtless; but it takes some little time to rouse the lion spirit in him.  He is wont to laugh and jest somewhat too much, and dally with news, whilst he throws the dice with his courtiers, or passes a compliment to some fair lady.  He takes life somewhat too lightly does my lord the King, until he be thoroughly roused.  But the blood of kings runs in his veins; and let him but be awakened to the need for action, then he can act as a sovereign, indeed.”

“Then, good my lord, in the name of all those poor townsfolk whose houses are standing yet, let the King be roused to a full sense of the dire peril!” cried Harmer, in almost passionate tones; “for if some one come not to their help, I trow there will not be a house within or without the city that will not be reduced to ashes ere two more days have passed.”

“It is terrible to think of,” said the Master Builder, who was taking his meal with the young lord, by his special desire, both having slept late into the morning after the exertions of the previous night.  “If you, my lord, can get speech of the King, and show him the things you have seen and suffered, methinks that that should be enough to rouse him.  And doubtless you could get speech of his Majesty without trouble, whereas a humble citizen might sue for hours in vain.”

“Yes, I trow that I could obtain an audience without much ado,” answered Lord Desborough, though he gave rather a doubtful glance at his soiled and fire-blackened garments, which were all he had in the world since the burning of his house.  “But I would have you go with me also, good Masters Harmer and Mason; for it was your prompt methods that saved the bridge, and perchance all Southwark too.  I would have you with me to add your testimony to mine.

“Master Harmer, your name was spoken often in the time of the raging of the plague, as that of a brave and loyal citizen.  It is likely his Majesty may bear it still in mind, and it will give weight to any testimony you have to offer.”

Harmer and the Master Builder exchanged glances.  They had not thought to appear before royalty, but they were willing to do anything that might be for the good of the town; and whilst the one hurried away to procure a wherry to take them as near as might be to Whitehall, the other supplied, from the stores in the shop, a new court suit to young Lord Desborough befitting his rank and station.