"Conspiracy," was the answer.
"And where are the other conspirators?"
"There was only one," said the jailer.
Number Seventeen was the oldest of the courtiers.
"He appears to be an elderly man to have a grandmother," said the Potentate. "She must be very aged, and that makes it all the worse for him. I think he should be executed."
"Oh, no, my lord," cried the jailor. "I am assured that his crime was quite unintentional."
"Then he should be set free," said the Potentate.
"I mean to say," said the jailer, "that it was just enough intentional to cause him to be imprisoned here for a long time, but not enough to deserve execution."
"Very well," said the Potentate, turning to leave; "take good care of your prisoners, and send me a report every month."
"That will I do, my lord," said the jailer, bowing very low.