t the
self-constituted judges was arranged a barrier of strong wooden posts
tipped with iron, and two soldiers with drawn swords were on guard at
either end.

The Douglases stood silent, haughtily awaiting the first words of
accusation. And the face of young David was to the full as haughty and
contemptuous as that of Earl William himself.

It was the Chancellor who spoke first, in his high rasping creak.

"William, Earl of Douglas, and you David, called the Master of
Douglas," he began, "you are summoned hither by the King's authority
to answer for many crimes of treason against his royal person--for
rebellion also and the arming of forces against his authority--for
high speeches and studied contempt of those who represent his
sovereign Majesty in this realm, for treasonable alliances with rebel
lords, and above all for swearing allegiance to another monarch, even
to the King of France. What have you to say to these charges?"

The Earl of Douglas swept his eyes across the dais from side to side
with a slow contempt which made the Chancellor writhe in his chair.
Then after a long pause he deigned to reply, but rather like a king
who grants a favour than like one accused before judges in whose hands
is the power of life and death.

"I see," said he, "two knights before me on a high seat, one the
King's tutor, the other his purse-bearer. I have yet to learn who
constituted them judges of any cause whatsoever, still less of aught
that concerns William Douglas, Duke of Touraine, Earl of Douglas,
hereditary Lieutenant-Governor of the realm of Scotland."

And he kept his eyes upon them with a straight forth-looking glance,
palpably embarrassing to the traitors on the dais.

"Earl Douglas," said the Chancellor again, "pray remember that you are
not now in Castle Thrieve. Your six thousand horsemen wait not in the
courtyard out there. Learn to be more humble and answer to the things
whereof you are accused. Do you desire that witness should be
brought?"

"Of what need are witnesses? I own no court or jurisdiction. I have
heard no accusations!" said the Earl William.

The Chancellor motioned with his hand, whereupon Master Robert Berry,
a procurator of the city, advanced and read a long parchment which set
forth in phrase and detail of legality twenty accusations against the
Earl,--of treason, rebellion, and manifest oppression.

When he had finished the Chancellor said, "And now, Earl Douglas, what
answer have you