hat means this mumming?" he said, high and clear. "If a mystery is
to be played, surely it were better to put it off till after dinner."

Then through the open doorway came a voice piercing and reedy.

"The play is played indeed, William of Douglas, and the lion is now
safe in the power of the dogs. How like you our kennel, most mighty
lion?"

It was the voice of the Chancellor Crichton.

The young King came running from his place and threw his arms about
the Earl's neck.

"I am the King," he cried; "not one of you shall touch or hurt my
cousin Douglas!"

"Stand back, James," said the tutor Livingston; "the Douglas is a
traitor, and you shall never reign while he rules. He and his brother
must be tried for treason. They have claimed the King's throne, and
usurped his authority."

Sholto MacKim turned about. In all that threatening array of armed men
no friendly eye met his, and none of all he had trusted drew a blade
for the Douglas. Sholto stood calculating the chances. To die like a
man was easy, but how to die to some purpose seemed more difficult.
He saw the King with his arm about the neck of William Douglas, who
remained quietly in his place with a pale but assured countenance.

It was Sholto's only chance. With his left hand he seized the young
King by the collar of his doublet, and set the point of his sword to
his back between the shoulder-blades.

"Now," he cried, "let a man lay hand on my Lord Douglas and I will
slay the King!"

At this there was great consternation, and but for fear of Sholto's
keeping his word half a score would have rushed forward to the
assistance of the boy. The scream of a woman from some concealed
portal showed that the Queen Mother was waiting to witness the
downfall of the mighty house which, as she had been taught, alone
threatened her boy's throne.

Sholto's arm was already drawn back for the thrust, when the voice of
the Earl of Douglas was heard. He had risen to his feet, and now stood
easy and careless as ever, with his thumb in the blue silken sash
which girt his waist.

"Sholto," he said calmly, "you forget your place. Let the King go
instantly, and ask his Majesty's pardon. Set your sword again in its
sheath. I am your lord. I dubbed you knight. Do as I command you."

Most unwillingly Sholto did as he was bidden, and the King, instead of
withdrawing, placed himself still closer to William of Douglas.

"And now," cried the Earl, facing the array of armed men