Besides, I can never remember all their names."

"Well, look them up in the catalogue--they're all down there. Tell
them, the big dock downstairs. And if we're lucky and get the job over
in time, I don't mind standing treat all round in the refreshment-room
afterwards. That will fetch them, I fancy; eh, what?"

Sub-Chapter II.

THE TRIAL.

The room suddenly grew dim and silent again, and I began to think that
after all I had been only dreaming. But when I lifted my head and
looked round, the place of the kings was empty. There was William the
Conqueror's footstool where he had upset it; and there lay the pen and
ink on the floor under King John's chair. As for the big group in the
middle, not a soul was left there except Chaucer and William Caxton, who
had taken possession of the two easiest chairs, and were deep in a game
of chess.

As I picked myself slowly up off the floor, I became aware of the gleam
of a lantern approaching me, and heard a footstep coming down the hall.
It was too dark to see who it was till he was close up; then, with a
gasp, I recognised Marwood, the hangman!

"Oh," said he pleasantly, "you're the young party, are you? Come, cheer
up. You've got to be tried first. The fact is, they couldn't find the
regular police, and asked me to step up for you. Come, my lad," said
he, proceeding to pinion me with the cord in his hand, "this will brace
you up wonderfully. You may depend on me to do the job neatly. I've
just invented a new noose, and have been wanting a light weight to try
it on, so you're in luck. Come along, and don't keep them waiting."

And he proceeded to conduct me to the Chamber of Horrors. As we passed
along the hall, one or two of the figures nodded to us; and Oliver
Cromwell requested in Marwood to let him know when his part of the
business was going to begin, as he should like to be present.

"I don't care about the trial, you know," said he. "Seen plenty of that
sort of thing. But I'd like to see how you do your job, you know; so
don't forget." And he slipped a shilling into Marwood's hand.

"You've no idea of the civility I receive from some of these gentlemen,"
said the latter to me with emotion. "Little drops of kindness like this
always touch me. You shall have a little drop too, my boy, presently."

I tried feebly to laugh at the joke; but I couldn't, whereupon he got
very sulky, and bundled me down the stairs without another word.

By the dim ligh