“Prisoner,” he said, “what have you to say in extenuation of your actions?”
“Nothing,” was the brief response.
“Have you anything to plead why sentence of death should not be pronounced on you?” continued Lord Hastings.
“I have nothing whatever to say,” was the firm response.
The six judges consulted together for some moments. Then Lord Hastings turned again to the prisoner.
“As president of this court martial,” he said slowly, “I sentence you to be shot at six o’clock.”
He drew a watch from his pocket and glanced at it.
“It is now five,” he said. “You have one hour in which to prepare yourself to meet your maker.”
The prisoner bowed his head in assent. Then, at a signal, he arose and was conducted from the room.
Six o’clock came all too swiftly for Frank and Jack, who could but look with horror upon this cold blooded way of disposing of a man, simply because he was a spy.