"Please, your Majesty," said Hortense timidly, "we've done nothing wrong."
"I'll be the judge of that," said the King. "Prisoners are always guilty. However, you'll have a fair trial; I'll be the judge myself. What have you to say for yourselves?"
"We were seeking your assistance against Grater," said Hortense. "That is why we came to you."
The King shuddered, and all the Little People standing near by turned pale.
"He is never to be mentioned in my presence," said the King. "The penalty is ten years' imprisonment. Besides, how can you know so much about—him—unless you are his servants? It stands to reason that you are not telling the truth."
"Oh dear!" said Hortense. "How unfair you are!"
"It's a first principle of law that what a prisoner says is untrue," said the King. "I always go on that principle, and that is why I am always right."
"And you'd rather be right than be King, of course," said Lowboy.
"Silence!" roared the King. "Who dares speak so to me?"
The guard thrust Lowboy forward so that the King could see him better.