Taubman, in a rasping voice, read out the charge to the prisoner and called on him to plead.
"How say you, are you Guilty or Not Guilty?"
"Guilty," said Stowell in a clear voice, and then, after a moment of merciless silence, there was a deep drawing of breath.
"Had you any accomplices?"
"None."
"Humph! And what was your motive in committing this crime?"
Again there was a moment of merciless silence, and then Stowell, speaking very slowly, said,
"I had seduced the prisoner and was therefore the first cause of her crime."
Ah! There was another long indrawing of breath among the spectators. It was a wonder the man didn't fall dead with shame!
"And what, if you please, was your reason for making this confession?"