d the room,
clad in the imposing robes of his high state. A frown was on his brow,
and he advanced straight from the doorway to the throne at the head of
the table, without speaking or casting a glance at any one of the
eleven. When he had seated himself he said gruffly,--

"There is a chair for each of you; sit down."

It is doubtful if any of the company, except the cobbler, at first
recognised their ruler as the alleged Laird of Ballengeich; but at the
sound of the monarch's voice several started and looked anxiously one
at another. Again the king addressed them,--

"A week ago to-night I met you in Flemming's room. I appointed this
day for the conference that the routine of your meetings might not be
disturbed, as I thought it well that the last of your rebellious
gatherings should be held in the Castle of Stirling, for I am
resolved that this conclave shall be your final effort in treason. One
of your number has stated that the word of a Stuart is not to be
trusted. This reputation appears to have descended to me, and it is a
pity I should not take advantage of it."

When the king ceased speaking he lifted a small mallet and smote a
resounding bell, which was on the table before him. A curtain parted
and two men entered bearing between them a block covered with black
cloth; this they placed silently in the centre of the floor and
withdrew. Again the king smote the bell and there entered a masked
executioner with a gleaming axe over his shoulder. He took his place
beside the block, resting the head of his axe on the floor.

"This," continued the king, "is the entertainment I have provided for
you. Each of you shall taste of that," and he pointed to the heading
block.

The cobbler rose unsteadily to his feet, drawing from his bosom with
trembling fingers the parchment bearing the king's signature. He
moistened his dry lips with his tongue, then spoke in a low voice.

"Sir," he said, "we are here under safe conduct from the king."

"Safe conduct to where?" cried James angrily, "that is the point. I
stand by the document; read it; read it!"

"Sir, it says safe conduct for eleven men here present, under
protection of your royal word."

"You do not keep to the point, cobbler," shouted the king bringing his
fist down on the table. "Safe conduct to where? I asked. The parchment
does not say safe conduct back into Stirling again. Safe conduct to
Heaven, or elsewhere, was what I guaranteed."

"That is but an ad