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All started from their places. For a moment there was a dead

silence; then the Judge cried, "To the stocks with that bully!

Ho, boys!"-and the servants rushed nimbly along the narrow

passage between the wall and the bench. But the Count blocked

their way with a chair, and, placing his foot firmly on that

feeble entrenchment, called out:-

"Beware, Judge! No one shall do injury to my servant in my own

house; whoever has a complaint against the old man, let him

present it to me."

The Chamberlain cast a sidelong glance into the eyes of the

Count:-

"Without your valuable aid I shall manage to punish the insolent

old fellow; but Your Honour the Count is appropriating the castle

ahead of time, before the decree is pronounced. You are not lord

here, you are not entertaining us. Sit quiet as you have been

sitting; if you honour not my grey head, at least respect the

first office in the district."