Candido's head disappeared beneath his arms and his body shook convulsively.
"No, he had no pistol."
The prisoner raised his eyes and shot a quick, puzzled look at his wife.
"What?" cried the assistant. "You say he had no revolver? Did you not swear that you saw one and sign a paper to that effect?"
Maria looked steadily before her. "I did not understand the paper. I saw no pistol." The words came quietly, positively.
The prosecutor looked helplessly toward the judge and nervously fingered an affidavit.
"You cannot impeach your own witness, Mr. District Attorney," admonished his honor.
The prosecutor turned again to Maria. "Did you not tell Sophia Mantelli that you were weeping because your husband had purchased a revolver with which to kill Beppe?"
"Objected to!" shouted Flynn.
"I will allow it," said his honor, "on the ground of refreshing memory. The witness may answer."