"We know it," answered Hildebrand quietly, "and would have held counsel with the King how best to check him."
"With the King!" laughed Hildebad bitterly.
"He is not here," said Witichis, looking round; "that confirms our suspicion. We returned because we had cause for grave mistrust. But of that later. Continue where you were interrupted. Everything according to right and order! Peace, friend!"
And, pushing the impatient Hildebad back, he modestly placed himself on the left of the judgment-seat amongst the others.
After all had become still, the old man continued:
"Gothelindis, our Queen, is accused of the murder of Amalaswintha, the daughter of Theodoric. I ask: are we a tribunal to judge such a cause?"
Old Haduswinth, leaning upon his club, advanced a step and said:
"Red are the cords which enclose this place of execution. The National Assembly has the right to judge red-handed crime; warm life and cold death. If it has been ordered otherwise in late times, it has been by force and not by right. We are a tribunal to judge such a cause."
"Through all the nation," resumed Hildebrand, "a heavy reproach is made against Gothelindis; in the depths of our hearts we accuse her. But who will accuse her here, in open assembly, in audible words, of this murder?"
"I," cried a loud voice, and a handsome young Goth in shining armour stepped forward, on the right of the judge, laying his hand upon his heart.