The seneschal who had summoned them strode in first, and then after a sufficient interval entered the young Lords of Douglas, William and David his brother.  The elder still kept one hand affectionately on the shoulder of the younger.  His other was set as usual in the silken belt which he wore about his waist, and he walked carelessly, with a high air and an easy step, like one that goes in expectantly to a pleasant entertainment.

But as soon as the brothers perceived in whose presence they were, an air of pride came over their faces and stiffened their figures into the sterner aspect of warriors who stand on the field of battle.

Some three paces before the steps of the dais on which sat 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.