A sense of that image and unreality still
persisted, even after all the women who had come to him so willingly and
had left with that undefinable look of unhappiness deep in their eyes.

Since that woman back in the Fifth District, he'd been lucky with his
executions. Not too many women drew the death penalty, and the few times
women had been on his docket he had learned of it sufficiently in
advance to pretend illness or make up some plausible excuse for
emergency leave. But today had taken him totally by surprise.

The squire shuffled up behind him, and begged,

"Please, your Lordship, shall we not don these garments now?"

Jacques shook his head so impatiently that the squire scurried back in
fright.

And then the Bailiff's voice intoned sonorously from the doorway:

"His Highness, Chief Justice of the Seventh Judicial District!"

Jacques turned in time to see the Bailiff bow low. The Chief Justice
entered with a swish of ceremonial robes. He was followed by a tall,
thin man, dressed in knightly costume. The Bailiff made a second bow,
and spoke again:

"His Excellency, Sir Mallory, representing the Federal Bureau of
Internal Tranquility!"

Jacques felt suddenly relieved. It was good to have someone from his own
Bureau here. These judges were too cold, too impersonal.

The Chief Justice was carrying his wig, which was not yet fully
powdered. His heavy jowls quivered with indignation.

"What's this nonsense, Sir Jacques?" he demanded imperiously. "Court is
ready to convene--We have no time to get another executioner!"

"I'm sorry, your Highness, but I must ask your indulgence this one
time."

"Impossible!"

Sir Mallory stepped forward and smiled in a conciliatory manner.

"Perhaps Sir Jacques does not understand all the circumstances," he said
soothingly. "You see, Sir Jacques, this execution is very important to
FBIT. There hasn't been a first-rate execution in nearly three years,
and this is the only release we've had to offer the public in all that
time. Of course, the Court still must decide in its own wisdom whether
there are any grounds for setting aside the verdict, but we would not
want any of our Bureau personnel to be responsible for disappointing the
public."

"I've always done my duty," Jacques protested. "But this one time--"

"The FBIT is well aware of your splendid record," Sir Mallory
interrupted, striking a hearty note of sincerity. "Your services have
been deeply appreciated in th