"Killing the count" joke

The queen, the prince and the count of a small country, conspired to gain control of the throne by assinating the King. The count was sent into the Kings chamber one night and told to murder him while he was sleeping. The count, who was not very intelligent, slipped up and was caught red handed in his attempt.

The King knew very well that this man was incapable of pulling this assination off by himself so he demanded, "Tell me who is conspiring against me or I will have your head."

The count stayed silent. The King rounded up the executioner and took the count down to the chopping block.

The King said, "I'll give you one last chance. Tell me who was in the conspiracy and I will spare your life."

The count refused to speak. The King gave the signal to the excutioner and just as the axe was being raised the count said, "Wait, wait, I'll talk!"

But it was to late. The executioner droped his axe and the count died. The King, fuming mad screemed at the executioner, "You fool! How many times have I told you never to hatchet you counts before they chicken!"