One or two women giggle hysterically, and there comes a stern “Silence!” from the judge himself.
“He then went on to tell me that it was he who had poisoned Mrs. Garlett.”
A strange sound, a kind of strangled half-sigh, half-groan, issues from the man in the dock. He slips down, and is seen through the railings of the dock lying in a heap on the floor.
One of the warders, after stooping down, stands up and says stolidly:
“The prisoner has fainted, my lord. Shall we take him below?”
“Yes, and do not bring him back till I direct you to do so.”
But this occurrence, which would have made such an impression at any other time, is scarcely noticed.
Sir Harold addresses the witness encouragingly:
“I understand you to say that Guy Cheale, your late husband, confessed to you before the marriage took place that he had poisoned Mrs. Garlett. Did he tell you what motive inspired him to commit this crime?”
For the first time the witness falters. She turns to the judge.