"Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"
Three times the phrase had to be repeated. Faithful would not have done his duty if he had only repeated it twice.
"This is to give notice, in the name of his majesty and of his excellency, the governor, that all true and faithful residents of the Green Mountain district must assemble at the courthouse at two hours after noon, on this second day of January. So let it be!"
That was all, but it was enough to set all the people wondering what was to be heard at the courthouse.
They returned to their homes, and finished their dinners, scarcely noticing that the dumplings were cold or that the boiled carrots had got soggy through long standing.
At two a large crowd had assembled at the courthouse, and all were in great excitement.
It was just three minutes after the hour, as shown by the sundial, which stood in front of the courthouse, that the sheriff appeared.
Not a murmur was heard. Even the children were silent.
The sheriff was trembling.
He held in his hand a piece of parchment, bearing a big red seal at the bottom, and he tried to read it, but his voice failed him.