"Then, gentlemen," Marshal Illo said, "I will have the document
for your signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared
in the next room, of which I invite you now all to partake, and at
its conclusion the document shall be ready."
Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the
officers left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath
the arras, saw that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined,
however, to remain and to hear the conclusion of the conference.
He accordingly remained quiet for upwards of an hour. During this
time the attendants had entered and extinguished the lights, as
the guests would not return to the council chamber.
He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which
separated him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the
keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices
loudly raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height.
More and more noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his
guests with wine in order that they might sign without examination
the document which he had prepared for their signatures. Feeling
confident that none would hear him in the state at which they had
now arrived, Malcolm cautiously opened the door an inch or two,
and was able to hear and see all that passed.
It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and
passed it round for signature.
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