"We are no prison--" But they got no further, for Garlinge and Clupp silenced them by clapping huge hands over their gaping mouths. Brilliana gave a little sigh of relief at the welcome quiet. "Now, Sir Blaise," she asked, "why are these gentlemen here?" Sir Blaise made salutation and answered, "Truly, most paradisiacal lady, these gentlemen make grave allegations that you did insidiously incite them to the commission of a felony." Brilliana looked from Sir Blaise to the muffled, grappled plaintiffs and made mirthful decision. "I represent the King here. I will try this matter." Blaise felt bound to lodge protest against this monstrous proposition. "Perhaps, most Elysian of fair ladies, it would be, as one might say, more seemly if I, as a justice of the peace--" Brilliana daffed him down. "Sir Blaise, we are at war now, and by your leave I will handle this matter after my own fashion." "I must protest," Blaise bleated, but Brilliana would not listen to him. "You must do nothing," she insisted, "but help me to set chairs. One here for me, one there for you, my brother justice; one there for Captain Cloud, who, as a stranger of distinction, shall have a seat on the bench." "I thank you for the honor," said Evander, watching the scene with much entertainment. As Brilliana talked she, with Blaise and Halfman, had been busy placing seats as she directed at the table. "Captain Halfman," Brilliana went on, "you write a clerkly hand. Sit you here; you shall be our clerk. Arraign the prisoners." By this time all were seated as Brilliana had disposed; Sir Blaise had completely surrendered his dignity to her spell. Even Halfman found pleasure in the grotesque sham trial. Garlinge and Clupp brought their charges down to face the newly formed tribunal. Halfman spoke. "Here, my lady, we have two hobs who have come to loggerheads as to which is best disposed to the King. Garlinge, let Master Hungerford speak." Garlinge removed his massive hand from his prisoner's mouth, and Paul, after gaping like a fish for some seconds, gasped out, "Lady, you know well enough how you have befooled us." Brilliana stared upon him, bewitchingly unembarrassed by the charge. "Manners, master," cried Halfman, angrily, "or I'll manner you." Brilliana daintily deprecated his heat. "Wait, wait," she said. "First of all, are you a loyal subject of the King?" Master Paul rubbed his chin dubiously. "That is as it may be," he muttered. Brilliana tapped the table. "Faint hesitation is flat treason," she cried. Turning to Halfman, she commanded, "Write him down for a confessed Roundhead." Master Paul clawed towards her excitedly. "No, no; pray you not so fast," he entreated. "I am a good King's man." Brilliana condescended approval. "He amends his plea," she noted to Halfman. Master Paul went on, fractiously, "But that does not make me love to be plundered."