Captain Johnson rose to his feet.
“How,” he asked, “do you account for the paper I found in your possession?”
“Lieutenant Taylor showed it to me,” replied the girl. “He said it was the message that meant the destruction of the British fleet. He gave it to me and I kept it. That is all.”
“I deny it!” exclaimed Lieutenant Taylor, springing to his feet
Captain Johnson waved him aside.
“Have you anything else to say. Miss Beulow?” he asked.
“Nothing,” replied the girl, “except that I am innocent.”
“You may return to your cabin, Miss Beulow,” said Captain Johnson. “You shall know our verdict as soon as we have reached it.”
Haltingly the girl was escorted back to her cabin. Here, at length, she gave way to her feelings and burst into tears. When, finally, she was again summoned before the court-martial, she had regained her composure, and, dry-eyed, and standing firmly erect, she once more calmly faced her judges, to learn from them whether she was to live or die.
The captain and all other members of the court-martial arose from their seats.