'Before signing my name (which I am perfectly able to do) to the death-warrant I will know what crime these persons have committed. Tell them to come nearer, that I may question them.' 'Sire,' exclaimed the Home Doggerel, in evident dismay, 'the law of England does not permit an accused person to be questioned.' 'Why not?' 'Because it might lead to a discovery.' 'What discovery?' 'The discovery of the truth, Sire; and where would you and all of us be then?' At this a man in the pit began to hiss, and the police tried to take him into custody; but they could not find out his address, and therefore let him alone. 'Where would we be indeed!' murmured King Yellow-cap thoughtfully. 'Nevertheless,' he continued, again fixing his eyes upon the veiled woman, 'I am resolved to question these people; and this pantomime shall not go on until I have done so.' 'I humbly beg your Majesty to think what you are about,' said the Lord Privy Gander in an agitated tone; 'you are in danger not only of hearing the truth but of violating etiquette.' 'It might bring about a reform,' added the First Lord of the Seesaw, with a shudder. 'At all events let the woman be condemned unheard,' said Silvia. 'She looks dangerous, and may intend to do your Majesty some harm.' 'Be silent, everyone!' thundered King Yellow-cap at the top of his voice. 'I say I will hear these persons, and I will hear the woman first. Stop--where is the Headsman?' 'Here I be, your Majesty, quite at your service,' said the Headsman, shouldering through the crowd, and saluting the young King with his axe. He was an immensely strong man, seven feet high, with short red hair standing up over his head, and a butcher's apron tied on in front of him. 'Headsman,' said the King, 'if anyone stirs or says a word except by my leave, off with his head! Do you understand?' For answer the Headsman tossed his terrible axe high up in the air, caught it lightly as it came down, and then, swinging it round his head, he cut off the tall feather that was fastened in the cap of the Chancellor of the Jingle. An inch more would have buried the blade in his skull. 'Very good,' said King Yellow-cap; 'I see you know your business. Now, then, bring me hither that cart. Let the woman come down.' Amidst a total silence, during which the Headsman was seen to feel the edge of his axe with his thumb--keeping his right eye upon King Yellow-cap the while, and the left upon the Home Doggerel--the veiled woman got down from the cart and came forward to the donkey which served the King as a throne. Here she dropped a curtsey. King Yellow-cap gazed steadfastly upon her for several moments. The black veil still hung before her face, but round her neck was visible a bit of pink ribbon. 'Who are you?' he asked at last. 'I am a village maiden, Sire,' she answered in a voice so sweet and clear that it was heard all over the theatre. 'Of what crime are you accused?' 'Of high treason, Sire.'