And she sank again into a chair, where she sat like one stunned, looking at him with a hollow gaze which filled his heart with compassion, but which had no power to shake his purpose as a District Attorney.
"Yes," he acknowledged, after a moment, "I have woven a net for you, but only because I am anxious for the truth, and desirous of furthering the ends of justice. I am confident you know more about this crime than you have ever revealed, Miss Dare; that you are acquainted with some fact that makes you certain Mr. Mansell committed this murder, notwithstanding the defence advanced in his favor. What is this fact? It is my office to inquire. True," he admitted, seeing her draw back with denial written on every line of her white face, "you have a right to refuse to answer me here, but you will have no right to refuse to answer me to-morrow when I put the same question to you in the presence of judge and jury."
"And"—her voice was so husky he could but with difficulty distinguish her words—"do you intend to recall me to the stand to-morrow?"
"I am obliged to, Miss Dare."
"But I thought the time for examination was over; that the witnesses had all testified, and that nothing remained now but for the lawyers to sum up."
"When in a case like this the prisoner offers a defence not anticipated by the prosecution, the latter, of course, has the right to meet such defence with proof in rebuttal."
"Proof in rebuttal? What is that?"
"Evidence to rebut or prove false the matters advanced in support of the defence."
"Ah!"
"I must do it in this case—if I can, of course."