ay not do with him. You may not keep him a prisoner, or carry him to
England or injure him in any way. Since his arrest was a pure error,
as I gather, 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 why we should not hang you out of hand, as is our right."

Sir Oliver looked at him in almost amused surprise. "Faith!" he said at
length. "It was never my habit to waste breath."

"I doubt you do not rightly apprehend me, sir," returned his lordship,
and his voice was soft and silken as became his judicial position.
"Should you demand a formal trial, we will convey you to England that
you may have it."

"But lest you should build unduly upon that," cut in Sir John fiercely,
"let me warn you that as the offences for which you are to suffer were
chiefly committed within Lord Henry Goade's own jurisdiction, your trial
will take place in Cornwall, where Lord Henry has the honour to be Her
Majesty's Lieutenant and dispenser of justice."

"Her Majesty is to be congratulated," said Sir Oliver elaborately.

"It is for you to choose, sir," Sir John ran on, "whether you will be
hanged on sea or land."

"My only possible objection would be to being hanged in the air. But
you're not likely to heed that," was the flippant answer.

Lord Henry leaned forward again. "Let me beg you, sir, in your own
interests to be serious," he admonished the prisoner.

"I confess the occasion, my lord. For if you are to sit in judgment upon
my piracy, I could not desire a more experienced judge of the matter on
sea or land than Sir John Killigrew."

"I am glad to deserve your approval," Sir John replied tartly. "Piracy,"
he added, "is but the least of the counts against you."

Sir Oliver's brows went up, and he stared at the row of solemn faces.

"As God's my life, then, your other counts must needs be sound--or else,
if there be any justice in your methods, you are like to be disappointed
of your hopes of seeing me swing. Proceed, sirs, to the other counts. I
vow you become more interesting than I could have hoped."

"Can you deny the piracy?" quoth Lord Henry.

"Deny it? No.