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‘That cursed boy!’ cried he, shaking his fist at Jack. ‘See here, my fine fellow, you cannot do this kind of thing with impunity. I hereby summon you before the Judge next Friday, and see to it that you appear in person to answer the charges I shall bring against you.’

At this the boy raised his pipe again to his lips; but, before he could blow a single note, they had all taken to their heels in dismay, leaving him standing there alone in the empty square.

* * * * *

It was Friday, and the Judge, be-wigged and severe, sat on the bench, with all the appearance of a great case before him. The Friar was there as prosecutor; the King’s Proctor was watching the case–in case; the Public Persuader was there with his suave and well-paid manner, admonishing all sides; Jack’s parents and all his relations and friends were there, wondering greatly whether Jack, who stood in the dock, would live to tell the tale of what death was meted out to him.

‘M’lud!’ said the Friar when there was silence in court; ‘I have brought before you a wicked boy who, by associating with the Evil One, has corrupted the manners of this community, and brought sorrow and trouble to all. Though young he is none the less a wizard, having infernal skill.’

‘Ay, that he is,’ put in the stepmother. ‘He is in league–in league—-‘ But she got no further, for, in a trice, she was laughing as none had ever been known to laugh.

The Judge was scandalised.

‘Woman!’ he said. ‘This Court itself has been known to laugh, but this behaviour on your part is unseemly.’

‘Stop it!’ said Jack from the dock, and he spoke short and sharp.

She ceased immediately, and then the Judge requested her to tell her tale; but she was so exhausted that the Friar had to tell it for her.

‘M’lud,’ he said, ‘it is simply this: the prisoner here has a pipe, and, when he plays upon it, all who hear must dance themselves to death, whether they like it or not.’

‘Ah!’ said the Judge, ‘I should like to hear this Dance of Death. You have heard it, good father, and you still live. Maybe, when I have heard it, I shall be charmed, like the serpent, and come out to be killed at once. Let him play his music.’

And, with this remark, the Judge sat back, while Jack took up his pipe to play.

‘Stop! stop!’ cried the Friar in dismay. But Jack heeded not. At the nod of the Judge he started up a merry tune, and immediately the whole Court began to imagine itself a ballroom. Set to partners–cross–ladies’ chain–chasse! It was a regular whirl as the boy piped faster and faster. The Judge himself leapt down from the bench and joined in, holding up his robes and footing it merrily. But, when he bruised his shins severely against the clerk’s desk, he yelled for the boy to cease piping.

‘Yes, I will,’ cried Jack, and as he paused with his pipe raised to his lips they all waited on his words: ‘I will, if they will all promise to treat me properly from this time forward.’

‘I think,’ said the Judge, ‘if you will put your pipe away, they will consent to an amicable arrangement.’

Then he climbed back to the bench and sat himself down, and put on his considering cap to pass sentence.

There was silence in court for some minutes. Then came in solemn tones:

‘Judgment for the defendant–with costs!’

And so, all parties being satisfied, the Court adjourned, and every one went home to supper quite happy.

[Illustration: THE FRIAR AND THE BOY

The Friar, bound fast to the post, squirmed and wriggled, showing plainly that he would foot it if he could.]