“I stand at this bar,” said Ralph quietly, “charged with conspiring against the King's authority. The time of the alleged treason is specified. I move this exception to the indictment, that the King of England was dead at the period named.”
There was some shuffling in the court. The paper had dropped below the eyes.
“You trouble the court with these damnable excursions,” cried Justice Millet, with no attempt to conceal his anger. “By the law of England the King never dies. Your plea must be direct,—'Guilty,' or 'Not Guilty.' No man standing in your position at the bar must make any other answer to the indictment.”
“Shall I be heard, my lord?”
“You shall, sir, but only on your trial.”
“I urge a point of law, and I ask for counsel,” said Ralph; “I can pay.” “You seem to be versed in proceedings of law, young man,” replied the judge, with an undisguised sneer.
The paper dropped below the mouth.
“Mr. Ray,” said Justice Hide, in a friendly tone, “the course is that you should plead.”
“I stand charged, my lord, with no crime. How, then, shall I plead?”
“Mr. Ray,” said the judge again, “I am sorry to interrupt you. I hold that a man in your position should have every leniency shown to him. But these discourses are contrary to all proceedings of this nature. Will you plead?”