"Ask him," cried Bruno, "if on Sunday afternoon, when I went into his cabinet to withdraw the denunciation, he refused to let me."
"It is not true," said the witness.
"You liar," cried Bruno, "you know it is true; and when I told you that you were making me drag an innocent man to the galleys I struck you, and the mark of my fist is on your forehead still. There it is, as red as a Cardinal, while the rest of your face is as white as a Pope."
The president no longer tried to restrain Bruno. There was something in the man's face that was beyond reproof. It was the outraged spirit of Justice.
The chief warder went on to say that at various times he had received reports that Rocco was communicating important facts to a fellow-prisoner.
"Where is this fellow-prisoner? Is he at the disposition of the court?" said the president.
"I'm afraid he has since been set at liberty," said the witness, whereupon Bruno laughed uproariously, and pointing to some one in the well, he shouted:
"There he is—there! The dandy in cuffs and collar. His name is Minghelli."
"Call him," said the president, and Minghelli was sworn and examined.
"Until recently you were a prisoner in Regina Cœli, and have just been pardoned for public services?"