“Sir Blaise,” cried Master Peter, “there stands our undoing.” Brilliana frowned a little and turned to Halfman.
“Friend,” she said, “will you see order here.”
“Very blithely,” Halfman answered. He commanded the servants.
“You, Garlinge and Clupp, see that your prisoners keep silence.”
Master Paul and Master Peter began to protest in chorus.
“We are no prison—” But they got no further, for Garlinge and Clupp silenced them by clapping huge hands over their gaping mouths. Brilliana gave a little sigh of relief at the welcome quiet.
“Now, Sir Blaise,” she asked, “why are these gentlemen here?”
Sir Blaise made salutation and answered, “Truly, most paradisiacal lady, these gentlemen make grave allegations that you did insidiously incite them to the commission of a felony.”
Brilliana looked from Sir Blaise to the muffled, grappled plaintiffs and made mirthful decision.
“I represent the King here. I will try this matter.”