Majesty King George the Third?
If we make you up a firing party, what will happen? Half of them will
miss you: the rest will make a mess of the business and leave you to
the provo-marshal's pistol. Whereas we can hang you in a perfectly
workmanlike and agreeable way. (Kindly) Let me persuade you to be
hanged, Mr. Anderson?

JUDITH (sick with horror). My God!

RICHARD (to Judith). Your promise! (To Burgoyne) Thank you, General:
that view of the case did not occur to me before. To oblige you, I
withdraw my objection to the rope. Hang me, by all means.

BURGOYNE (smoothly). Will 12 o'clock suit you, Mr. Anderson?

RICHARD. I shall be at your disposal then, General.

BURGOYNE (rising). Nothing more to be said, gentlemen. (They all rise.)

JUDITH (rushing to the table). Oh, you are not going to murder a man
like that, without a proper trial--without thinking of what you are
doing--without-- (She cannot find words.)

RICHARD. Is this how you keep your promise?

JUDITH. If I am not to speak, you must. Defend yourself: save yourself:
tell them the truth.

RICHARD (worriedly). I have told them truth enough to hang me ten times
over. If you say another word you will risk other lives; but you will
not save mine.

BURGOYNE. My good lady, our only desire is to save unpleasantness. What
satisfaction would it give you to have a solemn fuss made, with my
friend Swindon in a black cap and so forth? I am sure we are greatly
indebted to the admirable tact and gentlemanly feeling shown by your
husband.

JUDITH (throwing the words in his face). Oh, you are mad. Is it nothing
to you what wicked thing you do if only you do it like a gentleman? Is
it nothing to you whether you are a murderer or not, if only you murder
in a red coat? (Desperately) You shall not hang him: that man is not my
husband.

The officers look at one another, and whisper: some of the Germans
asking their neighbors to explain what the woman has said. Burgoyne,
who has been visibly shaken by Judith's reproach, recovers himself
promptly at this new development. Richard meanwhile raises his voice
above the buzz.

RICHARD. I appeal to you, gentlemen, to put an end to this. She will
not believe that she cannot save me. Break up the court.

BURGOYNE (in a voice so quiet and firm that it restores silence at
once). One moment, Mr. Anderson. One moment, gentlemen. (He resumes his
seat. Swindon and the officers follow his example.) Let me understand
you clearly,