"Yes, your honor," responded the foreman, on the part of his colleagues.
"How say you—is the prisoner at the bar 'Guilty or not guilty?'"
"Not guilty!" cried the shrill tones of a girl near the outer door, toward which all eyes, in astonishment and inquiry, were now turned, to see a slight female figure, in the garb of a Sister of Mercy, clinging to the arm of Cloudesley Mornington, and who was now pushing and elbowing his way through the crowd toward the bench.
All gave way—many that were seated arose to their feet, and spoke in eager whispers, or looked over each others' heads.
"Order! silence in the court!" shouted the marshal.
"Your honor—this lady is a vitally important witness for the defense," said Cloudy, pushing his way into the presence of the judge, leaving his female companion standing before the bench and then hurrying to the dock, where he grasped the hand of the prisoner, exclaiming, breathlessly: "Saved—Thurston! Saved!"
"Order! silence!" called out the marshal, by way of making himself agreeable—for there was silence in the court, where all the audience at least were more anxious to hear than to speak.
"Your honor, I move that the new witness be heard," said Mr. Romford.
"The defense is closed—the charge given to the jury, who have decided upon their verdict," answered the State's Attorney.
"The verdict has not been rendered, the jury have the privilege of hearing this new witness," said the judge.