A.—(In a low voice.) Yes.
P.—Did you not write to your betrothed a few hours before the crime was committed?
A.—Yes, sir; and I sent her my letter by the son of one of my tenants, Michael.
P.—What did you write to her?
A.—That important business would prevent me from spending the evening with her.
P.—What was that business?
At the moment when the accused opened his lips to reply, the president stopped him by a gesture, and said,—
P.—Take care! You were asked this question during the preliminary investigation, and you replied that you had to go to Brechy to see your wood-merchant.
A.—I did indeed make that reply on the spur of the moment. It was not exact.
P.—Why did you tell a falsehood?