XXIV
A HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
There was a loud, scuffling noise without, as of the trampling of many feet and the inarticulate growlings of wild beasts. Then Clupp entered the room, clasping in his mighty arms the long body of Master Paul Hungerford. He was followed by Garlinge, who was performing the like embracive office for the short body of Master Peter Rainham. The two angry gentlemen plunged and struggled impotently to free themselves from their guardians and hurl themselves at each other’s throats. They might as well have tried to free themselves from clamps of iron. To the master-muscled Garlinge and Clupp—a strong Gyas, a strong Cloanthes, no less—they were no more difficult to restrain than would have been a brace of puling babes. Even their speech was not free to make amends for their captivity, for they were so brimful of choler and had so roared and shrieked their rage ere this that the torrent of their fury spent itself in vacant mouthings and splutterings. Sir Blaise eyed the brawlers with exceeding disfavor.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” he entreated, “be calm, I beg of you.”
At the sound of his voice the disputants found theirs, or rather found themselves restored to command over human speech. Each turned towards Sir Blaise, swaying over the clasped arms of his captor.
“Sir Blaise,” screamed Master Paul, “in the King’s name I call upon you to commit this thief to jail.”
“Set that footpad in the pillory, Sir Blaise,” yelled Master Peter. Then they turned upon each other again.
“You rogue,” cried Master Paul.
“You rascal,” answered Master Peter.
In a second they were again struggling to get at each other, and were, as before, imperturbably held asunder by Garlinge and Clupp.