The clerk will write a verdict
of not guilty, which you, as foreman, will sign."
The spectators broke out into a threatening murmur that began to
grow and gather volume. The judge rapped on his desk and ordered
the bailiffs promptly to suppress any demonstration on the part of
the audience. Then he directed the foreman to sign the verdict
prepared by the clerk. When this was done he turned to Victor
Ancona; his face was hard and there was a cold glitter in his eyes.
"Prisoner at the bar," he said, "you have been put to trial before
this tribunal on a charge of cold-blooded and atrocious murder.
The evidence produced against you was of such powerful and
overwhelming character that it seems to have left no doubt in the
minds of the jury, nor indeed in the mind of any person present in
this court room.
"Had the question of your guilt been submitted to these twelve
arbiters, a conviction would certainly have resulted and the death
penalty would have been imposed. But the law, rigid, passionless,
even-eyed, has thrust in between you and the wrath of your fellows
and saved you from it.
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