and running water and birds, but Master-Lieutenant, when he had taken
his seat, bade them close it, and to set Master Richard before him; all
of which they did, and so held him.

Then he began to speak.

"Now, sir," he said roughly, "my lord King is at the point of death, and
I am here to examine you. What is it that you have done to his grace?"

Now Master Richard knew that the King could not die, else where were the
passion he was to undergo? And if the officer could lie in this matter,
why should he not lie in other matters?

"Where is your authority," he said "to examine me?"

"What sir! do you question that? You shall see my authority by and bye."

"I am willing to answer you as one man to another" said Master Richard
softly, "but not to plead, until I have seen your authority."

"Oh! you are willing to answer!" said the officer, smiling like an angry
dog. "Very well, then. What have you done to his grace?"

"I have done nothing," said Master Richard, "save give the message that
our Lord bade me give."

Master-Lieutenant laughed short and sharp at that, and the two men that
held Master Richard laughed with him. (The other two men were gone to
the other end of the hall, and Master Richard could not see what they
were doing.)