"That is all. I have no further questions to ask," said Warren, and Baker departed.
"Do you desire to present argument, Mr. Senator?" asked the judge advocate.
Warren glanced at Nancy's averted face.
"The case rests on its merits," he said slowly. "The evidence is before the court; but I must plead that in reviewing it the court will remember the youth of the prisoner and her sex."
"Stop!" Nancy was on her feet in an instant, her slender form drawn to her full height. "It is my right to make a statement in my own behalf. I desire no such plea entered. My sex prevented my taking arms in the field for the cause I love; so I strove to aid the Confederacy in the only way I could, by woman's wit. Like the Cause," her voice trembled, "I have failed.
"Gentlemen, I am a spy; that most despicable of characters. You are soldiers. You fight in the open and die, honored; I fight in the dark and die—dishonored. You fought for love of the Stars and Stripes; I for love of the Stars and Bars."
A brief pause followed as Nancy's clear, unfaltering voice ceased; then Colonel Andrews rose.
"The court is closed," he announced solemnly. "The findings will be sent to the proper authorities."
Nancy swayed slightly, recovered herself, bowed to the court, then turned blindly and followed the corporal of the guard out of the room. Silently the crowd dispersed; the shadow of coming tragedy stilling all desire for light chatter.