"Mr. President," he cried, "I call on you in the name of humanity to say that justice in Italy has nothing to do with a barbarous system which aims at obtaining denunciations through jealousy and justice through revenge."
The president was deeply moved. "I have made a solemn promise under the shadow of that venerable image"—he pointed to the effigy above him—"to administer justice in this case, and to the last I will do my duty."
The Public Prosecutor rose again and obtained permission to interrogate the prisoner.
"You say the witness Minghelli told you that your wife had fled with the Honourable Rossi?"
"He did, and it was a lie, like all the rest of it."
"How do you know it was a lie?"
Bruno made no answer, and the young officer took up a letter from his portfolio.
"Do you know the Honourable Rossi's handwriting?"
"Is that the Honourable Rossi's writing?" said the officer, handing the envelope to the usher to be shown to Bruno.