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WILLIAM TELL
87

Tell came to himself with a start, looked round for Walter, and began to lead him away in the direction of his home, deaf to all the cheering that was going on around him.

Gessler leaned forward in his saddle.

“Tell,” he said, “a word with you.”

Tell came back.

“Your Excellency?"

"Before you go I wish you to explain one thing.”

“A thousand, your Excellency.”

“No, only one. When you were getting ready to shoot at the apple you placed an arrow in the string and a second arrow in your belt.”

“A second arrow!” Tell pretended to be very much astonished, but the pretence did not deceive the Governor.

“Yes, a second arrow. Why was that?