"Well, did you rob the mail?" This was asked uneasily, but with a half-concealed laugh in his voice as if the joke would appear in a minute.
"No."
"No, of course not." The tone of relief was apparent.
"Well, do you know anything about the cutting of the bag?"
"Yes."
"Who did it?"
"Me."
"You?" The surprise was now an angry one.
"Yes, me."
At this unexpected reply the Judge pushed his glasses high up on his forehead with a quick motion and leaned over his bench, his eyes on the prisoner. The jury looked at each other with amazement; such scenes were rare in their experience. The prosecuting attorney smiled grimly. Cartwright looked as if someone had struck him a sudden blow in the face.