At this there was another murmur in the hall which was promptly suppressed as before.
"Accused, you can take your seat," said the Cardinal.
Vampa did as directed, the policemen remaining standing at his sides with drawn swords in their hands.
"Let the first witness be called," said the Cardinal, addressing the clerk of the Court.
That official arose and called out, in a loud voice:
"Annunziata Solara!"
The former flower-girl came forward, slowly and timidly, and went upon the elevated witness stand, where the accustomed oath was administered to her by the clerk.
Again there was a general craning of necks, the women showing the strongest anxiety to behold the girl who was said to have been Vampa's victim.
In a low, faltering voice Annunziata proceeded to give her testimony. She repeated her sad story precisely as she had done before, entirely exonerating the bandit chief and throwing the whole weight of the crime upon the shoulders of the Viscount Massetti.