Jones uttered a scream of horror at this sight. He, too, had attempted to stay her hand, but had been too slow.
As she fell, he plucked the dagger from the wound and attempted to drive it into his own brain. But Nick caught his arm and wrested the blood-stained weapon from him.
Deprived thus of the means for ending his life, Jones fell upon his knees before the woman and covered her hands with kisses, nor could he be taken away, until the hands were chilled by death.
And that was the strange end of the affair. The woman's confession, though it may not have been true, will doubtless save Jones' life.
At the time of this writing the district attorney is of the opinion that a plea of murder in the second degree had better be accepted. There is no indication that the prisoner will fight the case.
So Jones will spend his days in prison, though he will escape the death chair.
A word should be added about the witness, Gaspard. He has been cleared of all reproach, and has sailed for France with his bride.