the confusion was dragged
forward a sort of cart, in which a number of persons were seated, with
veils over their faces, and their hands tied behind their backs.
Yellow-cap saw that one of these persons was a woman.

CHAPTER XI.

THE GRAND TRANSFORMATION SCENE.

'What is that? What people are those in the cart?' demanded
Yellow-cap, rising in his stirrups to get a better view.

'Please your Majesty they are prisoners of State,' said the Home
Doggerel, who had turned rather pale. 'It is quite a mistake their
coming here; they should have been taken to another theatre. However,
since they are here your Majesty cannot do better than sign their
death-warrant. I have a pen and ink here; or, if your Majesty happens
not to know how to sign your name, I can----'

'Hold your tongue,' interrupted Yellow-cap sharply. He was looking
very hard at the veiled figure of the woman. After a pause he said--

'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 t