the moments built themselves into minutes — still the boy struggled silently on, and gave no sign. But at last he heaved a sigh, shook his head slowly, and said, with a trembling lip and in a despondent voice —

“I call the scene back — all of it — but the Seal hath no place in it.” He paused, then looked up, and said with gentle dignity, “My lords and gentlemen, if ye will rob your rightful sovereign of his own for lack of this evidence which he is not able to furnish, I may not stay ye, being powerless. But — ”

“Oh, folly, oh, madness, my King!” cried Tom Canty, in a panic, “wait! — think!

Do not give up! — the cause is not lost! Nor shall be, neither! List to what I say —