A silence ensued, undisturbed by a movement or a whisper, and all eyes were

Fixed upon the new-comer, who stood, with bent head and corrugated brow,

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www.franklang.ru

Groping in his memory among a thronging multitude of valueless recollections

For one single little elusive fact, which found, would seat him upon a throne —

Unfound, would leave him as he was, for good and all — a pauper and an

Outcast. Moment after moment passed — 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 —'

'O folly, O 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 — follow every word — I am going to bring that morning back again,

Every hap just as it happened. We talked — I told you of my sisters, Nan and

Bet — ah, yes, you remember that; and about mine old grandma — and the

Rough games of the lads of Offal Court — yes, you remember these things