human
On what ground do you base your suspicion, my lord?
gpt
Little ground, Your Grace, answered Hymbercourt.
human
I may be entirely wrong; but I beg the privilege of asking the noble Count Calli two or three questions before Your Grace signs the death warrant. We may avert a grave mistake and prevent a horrible crime.
gpt
It is a waste of valuable time, answered Charles,
human
Your questions, Hymbercourt, and quickly, said Charles, testily.
gpt
We are in haste. Time between the arrest and the hanging of a spy is wasted.
human
I thank you, my lord, said Hymbercourt. He then turned to Calli, and asked,
gpt
When were these men arrested?
human
More than a fortnight ago,
gpt
How came you to discover they were spies?
human
I watched them, and their actions were suspicious,
gpt
In what respect were they suspicious?
human
They went abroad only at night, and one of them was seen near the castle several evenings after dark,
gpt
Is that your only evidence against them?
human
It is surely enough, replied Calli,
gpt
What were they heard to say and where did they say it?
human
I lay concealed, with six men-at-arms, near the river in the garden of The Mitre Inn, where the spies had been bathing. We heard them speak many words of treason against our gracious Lord Duke, but I did not move in their arrest until the younger man said to his companion: 'I will to-morrow gain entrance to the castle as a pedler and will stab this Duke Charles to death. You remain near the Postern with the horses, and I will try to escape to you. If the gate should be closed, ride away without me and carry the news to the cantons. I would gladly give my life to save the fatherland.'
gpt
Hang them, cried the duke.
human
We are wasting time.
gpt
I pray your patience, my Lord Duke, said Hymbercourt, holding up his hand protestingly.
human
I know these men whom Count Calli has falsely accused. They are not spies; they are not Swiss; neither are they enemies of Burgundy. Were they so, I, my lord, would demand their death were they a thousand-fold my friends. I stake my life upon their honesty. I offer my person and my estates as hostages for them, and make myself their champion. Count Calli lies.