"Your Supremity, I have a well-nigh unbelievable charge to lay against this prisoner. Because of the magnitude, the incredible audacity of his crime, and because one-I might say two-of our own number have actually stood his sponsor-because of these things, I say, I have presumed to interrupt the proceedings of this Board of Examiners in the full faith that-"
"Get to the point-get to the point, man," cut in the high priest petulantly. "What has be done?"
Again Mercy bowed. "Your Supremity, to waste no words, this mad and audacious stranger, this insolent abuser of Your Supremity's hospitality, who now faces the very throne with such brazen effrontery-"
"Well-well? Mr. Mercy, if you can't tell it, step aside, please, and allow me to question the prisoner himself!"
"He has invaded the holy Library of Penn," retorted Mercy, "and perused the sacred books!"
There was a general movement of interest among the bored servants. Several of the women auditors rose from their chairs and walked forward to obtain a better view of the prisoner. Even His Supremity was aroused. His face purpled with a rage greater than that awakened by the presumptuous Numbers, his mouth worked horribly, and it was some moments before he could sufficiently control his voice to speak. "How do you know this?" he at last enunciated hoarsely.
"Because I caught him at it," replied Mercy unguardedly.
"You? You found him? What were you doing in the library?"
Mr. Mercy started and gasped at the trap in which he had caught himself. "Why-I–I was passing by and the door was open. I looked in and-and-"
"Your Supremity, have I permission to speak?"