sheriff had just vacated. He let it be done, without seeking an

explanation.

When Gwynplaine was seated, the justice of the quorum and the wapentake

retired a few steps, and stood upright and motionless, behind the seat.

Then the sheriff placed his bunch of roses on the stone table, put on

spectacles which the secretary gave him, drew from the bundles of papers

which covered the table a sheet of parchment, yellow, green, torn, and

jagged in places, which seemed to have been folded in very small folds,

and of which one side was covered with writing; standing under the light

of the lamp, he held the sheet close to his eyes, and in his most

solemn tone read as follows:--

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

This present day, the twenty-ninth of January, one thousand six hundred

and ninetieth year of our Lord.

Has been wickedly deserted on the desert coast of Portland, with the

intention of allowing him to perish of hunger, of cold, and of solitude,

a child ten years old.

That child was sold at the age of two years, by order of his most

gracious Majesty, King James the Second.

That child is Lord Fermain Clancharlie, the only legitimate son of Lord

The Man Who Laughs