The serjeant of the coif on the right of the sheriff interrupted him, and said, with an indifference indescribably lugubrious in its effect, “Overhernessa.  Laws of Alfred and of Godrun, chapter the sixth.”

The sheriff resumed.

“The law is respected by all except by scoundrels who infest the woods where the hinds bear young.”

Like one clock striking after another, the serjeant said,—­

“Qui faciunt vastum in foresta ubi damoe solent founinare.”

“He who refuses to answer the magistrate,” said the sheriff, “is suspected of every vice.  He is reputed capable of every evil.”

The serjeant interposed.

“Prodigus, devorator, profusus, salax, ruffianus, ebriosus, luxuriosus, simulator, consumptor patrimonii, elluo, ambro, et gluto.”

“Every vice,” said the sheriff, “means every crime.  He who confesses nothing, confesses everything.  He who holds his peace before the questions of the judge is in fact a liar and a parricide.”

“Mendax et parricida,” said the serjeant.

The sheriff said,—­

“Man, it is not permitted to absent oneself by silence.  To pretend contumaciousness is a wound given to the law.  It is like Diomede wounding a goddess.  Taciturnity before a judge is a form of rebellion.  Treason to justice is high treason.  Nothing is more hateful or rash.  He who resists interrogation steals truth.  The law has provided for this.  For such cases, the English have always enjoyed the right of the foss, the fork, and chains.”

“Anglica Charta, year 1088,” said the serjeant.  Then with the same mechanical gravity he added, “Ferrum, et fossam, et furcas cum aliis libertatibus.”

The sheriff continued,—­

“Man!  Forasmuch as you have not chosen to break silence, though of sound mind and having full knowledge in respect of the subject concerning which justice demands an answer, and forasmuch as you are diabolically refractory, you have necessarily been put to torture, and you have been, by the terms of the criminal statutes, tried by the ’Peine forte et dure.’  This is what has been done to you, for the law requires that I should fully inform you.  You have been brought to this dungeon.  You have been stripped of your clothes.  You have been laid on your back naked on the ground, your limbs have been stretched and tied to the four pillars of the law; a sheet of iron has been placed on your chest, and as many stones as you can bear have been heaped on your belly, ‘and more,’ says the law.”

“Plusque,” affirmed the serjeant.

The sheriff continued,—­

“In this situation, and before prolonging the torture, a second summons to answer and to speak has been made you by me, sheriff of the county of Surrey, and you have satanically kept silent, though under torture, chains, shackles, fetters, and irons.”

“Attachiamenta legalia,” said the serjeant.