Part 57 (1/2)

Steps rang on the coht beyond the open door Froh Then Sir Oliver appeared in the doorway guarded by two fighting seamen in corselet and morion with draords

He paused an instant in the doorway, and his eyelids flickered as if he had received a shock when his glance alighted upon Rosauards he entered, and stood forward, his wrists still pinioned behind hihtly in advance of the two soldiers

He nodded perfunctorily to the court, his face entirely cal, sirs,” said he

The five considered hilance, as it rested upon the corsair's Musliarb, was eloquent of the scorn which he tells us filled his heart

”You are no doubt aware, sir,” said Sir John after a long pause, ”of the purpose for which you have been brought hither”

”Scarcely,” said the prisoner ”But I have no doubt whatever of the purpose for which I shall presently be taken hence However,” he continued, cool and critical, ”I can guess from your judicial attitudes the superfluous mockery that you intend If it will afford you entertain you I would observe only that it ht be considerate in you to spare Mistress Rosamund the pain and weariness of the business that is before you”

”Mistress Rosa

”Perhaps,” said Sir Oliver, ”she does not realize”

”I have made it abundantly plain to her,” Sir John interrupted, almost vindictively

The prisoner looked at her as if in surprise, his brows knit Then with a shrug he turned to his judges again

”In that case,” said he, ”there's no more to be said But before you proceed, there is another

”The terms of o free You will rehtly word for that Yet I find aboard here one as lately with lish seah, whom you hold a prisoner”

”He killed Master Lionel Tressilian,” said Sir John coldly

”That may be, Sir John But the bloas delivered before I made my terms with you, and you cannot violate these terms without hurt to your honour”

”D'ye talk of honour, sir?” said Lord Henry

”Of Sir John's honour, my lord,” said the prisoner, with mock humility

”You are here, sir, to take your trial,” Sir John ree for which you agreed to pay a certain price, and now it see back It seems so, I say For I cannot think but that the arrest was inadvertently effected, and that it will suffice that I draw your attention to the h's detention”

Sir John considered the table It was beyond question that he was in honour bound to enlarge Master Leigh, whatever the fellow ht have done; and, indeed, his arrest had been e until after the event

”What arowled sullenly

”That is for yourself to decide, Sir John But I can tell you what you may not do with hiland or injure hiather, you must repair that error as best you can I am satisfied that you will do so, and need say no more Your servant, sirs,” he added to intimate that he was now entirely at their disposal, and he stood waiting

There was a slight pause, and then Lord Henry, his face inscrutable, his glance hostile and cold, addressed the prisoner

”We have had you brought hither to afford you an opportunity of urging any reasons e should not hang you out of hand, as is our right”

Sir Oliver looked at hith ”It was never htly apprehend me, sir,” returned his lordshi+p, and his voice was soft and silken as became his judicial position

”Should you deland that you may have it”