tiently
for the indictment.

The clerk was proceeding to give the names of the witnesses, when
Ralph asked to be permitted to see the indictment. With a smile, the
clerk handed him a copy in Latin. Ralph glanced at it, threw it back
to the table, and asked for a translation.

"Let the indictment be read aloud and in English," said Justice Hide.

It was then read, and purported that, together with others, Ralph Ray,
not having the fear of God before his eyes, and being instigated by
the devil, had traitorously and feloniously, contrary to his due
allegiance and bounden duty, conspired against the King's authority on
sundry occasions and in divers places.

There was a strained attitude of attention while the indictment was
being read, and a dead stillness when the prisoner was called upon to
plead.

"How sayest thou, Ralph Ray? Art thou guilty of that treason whereof
thou standest indicted and for which thou hast been arraigned, or not
guilty?"

Ralph did not reply at once. He looked calmly around. Then, in a firm
voice, without a trace of emotion, he said,--

"I claim exemption under the Act of Oblivion."

There was a murmur of inquiry.

"That will avail you nothing," replied the judge who had delivered the
charge. "The Act does not apply to your case. You must plead Guilty or
Not Guilty."

"Have I no right to the benefit of the Act of Oblivion?"

The clerk rose again.

"Are you Guilty or Not Guilty?"

"Have I liberty to move exceptions to the indictment?"

"You shall have the liberty that any subject can have," replied
Justice Millet. "You have heard the indictment read, and you must
plead, Guilty or Not Guilty."

The paper had again gone up before the face of Justice Hide.

"I stand at this bar," said Ralph quietly, "charged with conspiring
against the King's authority. The time of the alleged treason is
specified. I move this exception to the indictment, that the King of
England was _dead_ at the period named."

There was some shuffling in the court. The paper had dropped below the
eyes.

"You trouble the court with these damnable excursions," cried Justice
Millet, with no attempt to conceal his anger. "By the law of England
the King never dies. Your plea must be direct,--'Guilty,' or 'Not
Guilty.' No man standing in your position at the bar must make any
other answer to the indictment."

"Shall I be heard, my lord?"

"You shall, sir, but only on your trial."

"I urge a point of law, and