A soft cry, a mere exclamation, was heard behind the chancel in the ladies’ gallery, which was above the throne, a little to the right.  But it caused no comment other than a momentary turning of heads in that direction.

“On what ground do you base your suspicion, my lord?” asked Charles.

“Little ground, Your Grace,” answered Hymbercourt.  “I may be entirely wrong; but I beg the privilege of asking the noble Count Calli two or three questions before Your Grace signs the death warrant.  We may avert a grave mistake and prevent a horrible crime.”

“It is a waste of valuable time,” answered Charles, “but if you will be brief, you may proceed.  Count Calli, come into presence.”

Calli stepped forward and saluted the duke on bended knee.

“Your questions, Hymbercourt, and quickly,” said Charles, testily.  “We are in haste.  Time between the arrest and the hanging of a spy is wasted.”

“I thank you, my lord,” said Hymbercourt.  He then turned to Calli, and asked, “When were these men arrested?”

“More than a fortnight ago,” answered Calli.

“How came you to discover they were spies?” asked Hymbercourt.

“I watched them, and their actions were suspicious,” replied the Italian.

“In what respect were they suspicious?”

“They went abroad only at night, and one of them was seen near the castle several evenings after dark,” responded Calli.

“Is that your only evidence against them?” demanded Hymbercourt.

“It is surely enough,” replied Calli, “but if more is wanted, they were overheard to avow their guilt.”

“What were they heard to say and where did they say it?” asked Hymbercourt.

“I lay concealed, with six men-at-arms, near the river in the garden of The Mitre Inn, where the spies had been bathing.  We heard them speak many words of treason against our gracious Lord Duke, but I did not move in their arrest until the younger man said to his companion:  ’I will to-morrow gain entrance to the castle as a pedler and will stab this Duke Charles to death.  You remain near the Postern with the horses, and I will try to escape to you.  If the gate should be closed, ride away without me and carry the news to the cantons.  I would gladly give my life to save the fatherland.’”

“Hang them,” cried the duke.  “We are wasting time.”

“I pray your patience, my Lord Duke,” said Hymbercourt, holding up his hand protestingly.  “I know these men whom Count Calli has falsely accused.  They are not spies; they are not Swiss; neither are they enemies of Burgundy.  Were they so, I, my lord, would demand their death were they a thousand-fold my friends.  I stake my life upon their honesty.  I offer my person and my estates as hostages for them, and make myself their champion.  Count Calli lies.”

Hymbercourt’s words caused a great commotion in the hall.  Swords and daggers sprang from the scabbards of the Italians, and cries of indignation were uttered by the mercenaries, who saw their crime exposed, and by the Burgundians, who hated the Italians and their dastardly methods.  Charles commanded silence, and Campo-Basso received permission to speak.