drop into the bottomless pit of fire and brimstone, if thou offer
to deviate the least from the truth and nothing but the truth. For
I tell thee God is not mocked. On that I charge you to answer
truthfully. How came you to be taken with these rebels?"

Peter Blood gaped at him a moment in consternation. The man was
incredible, unreal, fantastic, a nightmare judge. Then he collected
himself to answer.

"I was summoned that morning to succour Lord Gildoy, and I conceived
it to be the duty imposed upon me by my calling to answer that
summons."

"Did you so?" The Judge, terrible now of aspect - his face white,
his twisted lips red as the blood for which they thirsted - glared
upon him in evil mockery. Then he controlled himself as if by an
effort. He sighed. He resumed his earlier gentle plaintiveness.
"Lord! How you waste our time. But I'll have patience with you.
Who summoned you?"

"Master Pitt there, as he will testify."

"Oh! Master Pitt will testify - he that is himself a traitor
self-confessed. Is that your witness?"

"There is also Master Baynes here, who can answer to it."

"Good Master Baynes will have to answer for himself; and I doubt not
he'll be greatly exercised to save his own neck from a halter.
Come, come, sir; are these your only witnesses?"