“The murdered female was reputed to be your sister,” said the chief judge. “Was such the fact?”
“She was a near relative,” answered Wagner.
“But was she your sister?” demanded the procurator fiscal.
“She was not.”
“Then in what degree of relationship did she stand toward you?” asked the chief judge.
“I must decline to reply to that question.”
“The tribunal infers, therefore, that the murdered female was not related to you at all,” observed the judge. “Was she not your mistress?”
“No, my lord!” cried Wagner, emphatically. “As truly as Heaven now hears my assertion, it was not so!”
“Was she your wife?” demanded the chief judge.
A negative answer was given.