'Who are you?' he asked at last.
'I am a village maiden, Sire,' she answered in a voice so sweet and clear that it was heard all over the theatre.
'Of what crime are you accused?'
'Of high treason, Sire.'
'In what way did you commit it?'
At this question the Home Doggerel and the other members of the Cabinet made a movement as if they wished to step behind the scenes; but King Yellow-cap noticed it, and in an awful voice he cried out—
'Headsman!'
'Ready, your Majesty,' said that officer, poising his axe to strike.
'One step more,' said the King, turning to the six courtiers, 'and your heads fly into the pit. Keep your axe poised,' he added to the Headsman.
'Right you are, young man!' said the person in the pit whom the police had tried to arrest for hissing. 'Right you are, Master Yellow-cap; you're just about the sort of king I goes in for, and so I tells you.'