This closed Carmela's examination; and the next to go into the witness-box was Mrs. Verschoyle, pale and haggard, but who glanced angrily at the prisoner, as she kissed the book. She repeated the story she had told to Ronald and Foster. That she was with Vassalla, and wanted to see her husband. Both herself and her cousin heard him tell the number of his cabin; and though she tried to get near her husband, she was prevented by the crowd. Afterwards she missed Vassalla, and on going along to see her husband in the cabin, she found Vassalla coming out. He tried to prevent her going in, but she insisted, and found her husband lying dead with a stiletto in his breast.
Q. You know to whom the stiletto belonged?
A. Yes, to the prisoner; it was given to him by my sister.
Q. What did the prisoner say when you met him?
A. He implored me not to tell, and for the sake of the honour of our family I complied.
Q. Do you know by doing so you run the risk of being taken as an accomplice?
A. (Mrs. Verschoyle getting angry). I know nothing of English customs. I am a Maltese lady.
Q. Did you ever hear the prisoner threaten the deceased?
A. Yes, very many times; he wanted to marry me, and when I married the deceased, he swore he would revenge himself.
Q. That was seven years ago; did he do so lately?