Once more the judge paused, drew his robes about him, and turned sharply to the jury to observe the effect of his words; then to his brother on the bench, for the light of his countenance.  The paper was covering the eyes of Justice Hide.

“But now, gentlemen, to come from the general to the particular.  It is treason to levy war against the King’s person, and to levy war against the King’s authority is treason too.  It follows, therefore, that all acts which were done to the keeping of the King out of the exercise of his kingly office were treason.  If persons assembled themselves in a warlike manner to do any of these acts, that was treason.  Remember but this, and I have done.”

A murmur of assent and approbation passed over the court when the judge ceased to speak.  Perhaps a close observer might have marked an expression of dissatisfaction on the face of the other judge as often as the document held in front of it permitted the eyes and mouth to be seen.  He shifted restlessly from side to side while the charge was being delivered, and at the close of it he called somewhat impatiently for the indictment.

The clerk was proceeding to give the names of the witnesses, when Ralph asked to be permitted to see the indictment.  With a smile, the clerk handed him a copy in Latin.  Ralph glanced at it, threw it back to the table, and asked for a translation.

“Let the indictment be read aloud and in English,” said Justice Hide.

It was then read, and purported that, together with others, Ralph Ray, not having the fear of God before his eyes, and being instigated by the devil, had traitorously and feloniously, contrary to his due allegiance and bounden duty, conspired against the King’s authority on sundry occasions and in divers places.

There was a strained attitude of attention while the indictment was being read, and a dead stillness when the prisoner was called upon to plead.

“How sayest thou, Ralph Ray?  Art thou guilty of that treason whereof thou standest indicted and for which thou hast been arraigned, or not guilty?”

Ralph did not reply at once.  He looked calmly around.  Then, in a firm voice, without a trace of emotion, he said,—­

“I claim exemption under the Act of Oblivion.”

There was a murmur of inquiry.

“That will avail you nothing,” replied the judge who had delivered the charge.  “The Act does not apply to your case.  You must plead Guilty or Not Guilty.”

“Have I no right to the benefit of the Act of Oblivion?”

The clerk rose again.

“Are you Guilty or Not Guilty?”

“Have I liberty to move exceptions to the indictment?”

“You shall have the liberty that any subject can have,” replied Justice Millet.  “You have heard the indictment read, and you must plead, Guilty or Not Guilty.”

The paper had again gone up before the face of Justice Hide.