Sadbag, who was the centre of all eyes, was in the witness box manipulating a phonograph of the newest design, the boxed-up talk of which was being apparently reeled out for the benefit of the court; the nature of its revelations proving irresistibly comic to the assembly’s point of view, while the old man’s air of triumph most graphically seemed to say, ‘What do you think of that my friends?’ as he smirked with an ‘I-told-you-so,’ sort of expression on his face.
Mercia on her part was blushing violently, Geometrus was scowling darkly, while all the barristers were endeavouring to conceal their merriment by fluttering their pocket-handkerchiefs under the pretence of blowing their noses. Prince Osbert was actually holding his sides; while his face, puckered with merriment, seemed to say—‘Now isn’t this excruciatingly funny?’
Mercia’s counsel wore an air of happy triumph, which appeared to indicate complete satisfaction with his own good management of the case. Felicitas was absent, as before, but his Empress was among the audience, looking as flushed and angered as an injured wife might well be.
‘What the deuce is everybody laughing at?’ queried the Emperor, while a deep frown crossed his face,—‘I cannot understand it!’
Swami remained silent; he knew full well what the phonograph was saying, but did not deem it wise to give the irascible monarch too much information.
‘Canst not thy Majesty comprehend the situation?’ he demanded suavely.
‘No, I do not,’ answered Felicitas hotly, ‘tell me the meaning of it all.’
‘Time alone will show the full development. There is sufficient pictured to give thy Majesty ample warning.’
‘It is easy enough to see that I shall be made a pretty laughing-stock for the whole world. That villain Sadbag has worked some vile trick upon me—that is very evident. Strange that thou art unable to explain what the beast is up to!’ muttered Felicitas to himself, for he was bursting with rage at the very thought of the whole proceeding.
‘We have had enough of this,’ observed Swami quietly, as he prudently pressed the extinguishing button, producing perfect darkness. ‘We will now show the closing scene and dismiss the matter for to-night.’