But with an outburst of indignation that would have done credit to the elder Booth Mr. Tutt was immediately on his feet protesting against the outrage, the barbarity, the heartlessness, the illegality of making a wife testify against her husband!  His eyes flashed, his disordered locks waved in picturesque synchronization with his impassioned gestures Rosalina, her beautiful golden cross rising and falling hysterically upon her bosom, took her seat in the witness chair like a frightened, furtive creature of the woods, gazed for one brief instant upon the twelve men in the jury box with those great black eyes of hers, and then with burning cheeks buried her face in her handkerchief.

“I protest against this piece of cruelty!” cried Mr. Tutt in a voice vibrating with indignation.  “This is worthy of the Inquisition.  Will not even the cross upon her breast protect her from being compelled to reveal those secrets that are sacred to wife and motherhood?  Can the law thus indirectly tear the seal of confidence from the Confessional?  Mr. O’Brien, you go too far!  There are some things that even you—­brilliant as you are—­may not trifle with.”

A juryman nodded.  The eleven others, being more intelligent, failed to understand what he was talking about.

“Mr. Tutt’s objection is sound—­if he wishes to press it,” remarked the judge satirically.  “You may step down, madam.  The law will not compel a wife to testify against her husband.  Have you any more witnesses, Mister District Attorney?”

“The People rest,” said Mr. O’Brien.  “The case is with the defense.”

Mr. Tutt rose with solemnity.

“The court will, I suppose, grant me a moment or two to confer with my client?” he inquired.  Babson bowed and the jury saw the lawyer lean across the defendant and engage his partner in what seemed to be a weighty deliberation.

“I killa him!  I say so!” muttered Angelo feebly to Mr. Tutt.

“Shut up, you fool!” hissed Tutt, grabbing him by the leg.  “Keep still or I’ll wring your neck.”

“If I could reach that old crook up on the bench I would twist his nose,” remarked Mr. Tutt to Tutt with an air of consulting him about the Year Books.  “And as for that criminal O’Brien, I’ll get him yet!”

With great dignity Mr. Tutt then rose and again addressed the court: 

“We have decided under all the circumstances of this most extraordinary case, Your Honor, not to put in any defense.  I shall not call the defendant—­”

“I killa him—­” began Angelo, breaking loose from Tutt and struggling to his feet.  It was a horrible movement.  But Tutt clapped his hand over Angelo’s mouth and forced him back into his seat.

“The defense rests,” said Mr. Tutt, ignoring the interruption.  “So far as we are concerned the case is closed.”

“Both sides rest!” snapped Babson.  “How long do you want to sum up?”