I found Count Samoval either just dead or just dying, and I had scarcely made the discovery when Mullins, the butler, came out of the residential wing, as he has testified.
"That, sirs, is all that I know of the death of Count Samoval, and I will conclude with my solemn affirmation, on my honour as a soldier, that I am as innocent of having procured it as I am ignorant of how it came about.
"I leave myself with confidence in your hands, gentlemen," he ended, and resumed his seat.
That he had favourably impressed the court was clear.

Miss Armytage whispered it to Lady O'Moy, exultation quivering in her whisper.
"He is safe!" And she added: "He was magnificent." Lady O'Moy pressed her hand in return.

"Thank God! Oh, thank God!" she murmured under her breath.
"I do," said Miss Armytage.
There was silence, broken only by the rustle of the president's notes as he briefly looked them over as a preliminary to addressing the court.
And then suddenly, grating harshly upon that silence, came the voice of O'Moy.
"Might I suggest, Sir Harry, that before we hear you three of the witnesses be recalled?
They are Sergeant Flynn, Private Bates and Mullins." The president looked round in surprise, and Carruthers took advantage of the pause to interpose an objection.
"Is such a course regular, Sir Harry ?" He too had become conscious at last of Sir Terence's relentless hostility to the accused.

"The court has been given an opportunity of examining those witnesses, the accused has declined to call any on his own behalf, and the prosecution has already closed its case." Sir Harry considered a moment.

He had never been very clear upon matters of procedure, which he looked upon as none of a soldier's real business.
Instinctively in this difficulty he looked at Lord Wellington as if for guidance; but his lordship's face told him absolutely nothing, the Commander-in-Chief remaining an impassive spectator.