and bore them off, and found
them void. So then I was about to bring them back to the banquet board,
when yon messengers did seize me and hale me roughly before your
Majesties.

KING OF HEARTS. And thou didst have intention to return them?

KNAVE OF HEARTS. Ay, verily, my liege. Verily I did. I plead now that I
be allowed to bring them to the board.

KING OF HEARTS. Speakest thou the truth, Knave?

KNAVE OF HEARTS. Every word is truth, sire.

KING OF HEARTS. Then go thou and seek the fire-crackers. (_To the other
KNAVES._) And go ye with him. (_To the KNAVE OF HEARTS._) The Queen
holds my word that if thou bringest them back, I spare thy life. Now
look to thyself. Away!

[_Exeunt, L., the four KNAVES._]

JOKER. It is a cheap life that costeth but eight fire-crackers!

KING OF SPADES. Ay, but the fire-crackers be worth more than yon Knave's
life.

QUEEN OF HEARTS. Come, speak no more of his life. It is no longer
forfeit. He hath promised restitution, and the King will bestow plenary
pardon.

KING OF SPADES. Well, as for me, I am more anxious as to the crackers
than as to any Knave's life.

[_Music. Enter, L., the four KNAVES, each bearing two large
fire-crackers. There are tarts in each. The KNAVES sand side by
side along the wall, L._]

KING OF SPADES. Aha, the fire-crackers, the fire-crackers!

QUEEN OF SPADES. And most wondrous, wondrous are they!

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS. Truly they be most marvellously fashioned.

KING OF HEARTS. Now, Knave, according to my promise, and because of the
gracious intercession of the Queen, thy life is spared, for thou hast
brought back the fire-crackers. Take them to the board. And if ever
again thou art taken a thief, thou needst not reckon thy life at the
hundredth part of a farthing.

KING OF SPADES. But, Sir King, the Knave did say he took the
fire-crackers that he might place somewhat therein.

KING OF HEARTS. True, I remember he said so. Hast thou placed aught
within them, Knave?

KNAVE OF HEARTS. Ay, my lord. When I did first purloin the Queen's tarts
last summer, methought to eat them. But being so sorely beaten by your
Majesty, I did refrain, and so kept the tarts uneaten. To-day I return
the tarts in the fire-crackers, thereby making double restitution to her
most charitable and generous Majesty the Queen of Hearts.

[_The KNAVES open the fire-crackers and shake out the tarts into a
tray held by the JOKER._]

QUEEN OF HEARTS.