The whole assembly gave a cry of horror on recognising the heads of Porc-en-Truie and Maragougnia; but the most frightened of all were assuredly Mont-Rognon and Allegrignac, who, letting fall the two accusing heads, flung themselves at the Emperor’s feet.
“Sire, do not hold us guilty. We have been the victims of some treason. Yes, we confess it; we were unable to carry out your instructions. Terrified and at our wits’ end, we lost our heads—”
“Then no one will be surprised this evening to see they are no longer on your shoulders,” interposed the Emperor, who thus set a-going a horrible joke, which has done service so often since that it has well earned a retiring pension.
The next day, after mass, the Lord of Bourglastic and the Count of Salençon underwent a final examination. By vespers Charlemagne had sentenced them to death. When the bugles sounded they had been beheaded, and flung out to feed the wolves.
Eight days after Ali Pépé was hanged.
