used it to
be suggested to Sir Amyas that he should poison his prisoner decently
and privately, and thereby save a great deal of trouble and scandal; and
that Sir Amyas had refused with indignation. Perhaps, if all this were
true, thought Robin, the officer was especially careful on this very
account that the Queen's health should be above suspicion. He remembered
that Sir Amyas had referred just now to a suspicion of poison.... He
determined on the bold line.

"Her Grace has spoken, sir," he said modestly. "And I think I should
have a word to say. It is plain to me, by looking at her Grace, that her
health is very far from what it should be--" (he paused
significantly)--"I should have to make a thorough examination, if I
prescribed at all; and, even should her Grace consent to this being done
publicly, for my part I would not consent. I should be happy to have her
women here, but--"

Sir Amyas turned on him wrathfully.

"Why, sir, you said downstairs--"

"I had not then seen her Grace. But there is no more to be said--" He
kneeled again as if to take his leave, stood up, and began to retire to
the door. Mr. Bourgoign stood helpless.

Then Sir Amyas yielded.

"You shall have fifteen minutes, sir. No more," he cried harshly. "And I
shall remain in the next room."

He made a perfunctory salute and strode out.

The Queen opened her eyes, waited for one tense instant till the door
closed; then she slipped swiftly off the couch.

"The door!" she whispered.

The woman was across the room in an instant, on tip-toe, and drew the
single slender bolt. The Queen made a sharp gesture; the woman fled back
again on one side, and out through the further door, and the old man
hobbled after her. It was as if every detail had been rehearsed. The
door closed noiselessly.

Then the Queen rose up, as Robin, understanding, began to fumble with
his breast. And, as he drew out the pyx, and placed it on the
handkerchief (in reality a corporal), apparently so carelessly laid by
the crucifix, Mary sank down in adoration of her Lord.

"Now, _mon pere_," she whispered, still kneeling, but lifting her
star-bright eyes. And the priest went across to the couch where the
Queen had lain, and sat down on it.

"_In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti_--" began Mary.

IV

When the confession was finished, Robin went across, at the Queen's
order, and tapped with his finger-nail upon the door, while she herself
remained on her kn