He entered at last under a guard, calm and dignified, in spite of his suffering. He met the gaze of the multitude without flinching, and his general demeanour impressed many in his favour. Compurgators, or men to swear that they believed him innocent, a kind of evidence fully recognised by the Saxon law, were not wanting; but they consisted chiefly of his old companions in arms and his friends from Aescendune. In a lighter accusation, his innocence might have been established by this primitive mode of evidence, but the case was too serious; the accusation being one of the murder of a king.
The charge was duly read; and to the accusation he replied, "Not guilty!" with a fervour and firmness which caused men to look up.
The chamberlain was first examined.
"Were you present when the late king retired to rest?"
"I was."
"Who shared his chamber?"
"The prisoner slept in an antechamber."
"Was there a fastening to the outer door of the antechamber?"
"Yes; a strong bolt."
"Could it be opened from the exterior?"