"Well, Fritz," called out Pierre Lamont, "is the trial over?"
"Yes, Master Lamont, and we're ready for the next."
"The verdict, Fritz, the verdict?" eagerly inquired Pierre Lamont, and everybody in the room listened anxiously for the reply.
"If I were a bandy-legged man," said Fritz, ignoring the question, "I would hire some scoundrel to do a deed, so that you might be on one side and my lord the Advocate on the other. Then we should witness a fine battle of brains."
"Come, Fritz--the verdict!" repeated Pierre Lamont impatiently.
"On second thoughts," said Fritz quietly, "you would be no match for the greatest lawyer living. I would not have you on my side. It is as well that your pleading days are ended."
"No fooling, Fritz. The verdict; Acquitted?"
"What else? Washed white as driven snow."
"I knew it would be so," cried the old lawyer triumphantly. "How was it received?"
"The town is mad about it. The women are furious, and the men thunderstruck. You should have heard the speech! Such a thing was never known. Men's minds were twisted inside out, and the jury were convinced against their convictions. Why, Master Lamont, even Gautran himself for a few minutes believed himself to be innocent!"