“On my shoulder!” I rapped.
They laid him across. I slammed the door, locked it, staggered up the steps, and arrived at the foot of the ladder.
The king was still addressing the mob, but his glance fell upon me in answer to my call.
“Bring him up,” he commanded. Again turning to the crowd, he said: “Gato is here. You shall see him; you shall have him. From him you will learn what it means to betray your king.”
I was nearly at the top of the ladder, which sagged and cracked under the double weight. The king made a detaining gesture toward me.
“Where is the ladder that I ordered?” he asked of those without.
“Here, Sire,” answered a liquid voice that ran sweetly over the wall and into my heart.
“Place it, you men. Good. Now you shall have Gato.”
I clambered upon the top.
“Stand him up to face the people,” directed the king for all to hear.