before, Tell? Eh, Tell?"

   "We have, your Excellency. It was in the ravine of Schächenthal," said

   Tell firmly.

   "Your memory is good, Tell. So is mine. I think you made a few remarks
to me on that occasion, Tell—a few chatty remarks? Eh, Tell?"

   "Very possibly, your Excellency."

   "You were hardly polite, Tell."

   "If I offended you I am sorry."

   "I am glad to hear it, Tell. I think you will be even sorrier before
long. So you've been ill-treating my soldiers, eh?"

   "It was not I who touched them."

   "Oh, so you didn't touch them? Ah! But you defied my power by refusing
to bow down to the hat. I set up that hat to prove the people's
loyalty. I am afraid you are not loyal, Tell."

   "I was a little thoughtless, not disloyal. I passed the hat without
thinking."

   "You should always think, Tell. It is very dangerous not to do so. And

   I suppose that you shot your arrow through the hat without thinking?"

   "I was a little carried away by excitement, your Excellency."

   "Dear, dear! Carried away by excitement, were you? You must really be
more careful, Tell. One of these days you will be getting yourself into
trouble. But it seems to have been a very fine shot. You

    are

   a

 Prev. P 36/60 next