"It's true, it's true," she wailed.
Shirley turned to Thorne and said feelingly:—
"The trial has been too much for her. She's overwrought."
Broderick, who overheard the remark, grinned sardonically. Turning to Thorne, he remarked:—
"I'm an expert in these matters. It's got all the earmarks of the real thing. Murgatroyd did well." And then, as one who enjoyed all the privileges of the court-room, he advanced close to the bench, and shading his mouth, while he spoke, suggested genially:—
"Your Honour, get out the Penal Code."
But the Court merely beckoned to Thorne and suggested that he take charge of his client; that the strain had been too much for her. And much as Thorne wanted to believe her story, he felt as the Court felt: that the tale was little short of preposterous.
"But—it's true," Miriam persisted to her counsel, "incredible as it may seem."
Thorne eyed her steadily for a few moments. At last, he said:—
"At any rate, it may have some effect upon the verdict." And then addressing himself to the bench, he exclaimed: "Your Honour, Mrs. Challoner assures me that this charge is absolutely true." And finally turning to Murgatroyd: "I should like to hear from Prosecutor Murgatroyd as to the truth or falsity of this?"