“The jury have heard sufficient of this case, my lord,” he said, “and they are agreed on their verdict.”

* * * * *

For a moment the buzzing whispers went about the court again, shrilling high, but instantaneously they died down, and the same tense silence prevailed.  But from the back of the court there was a stir, and the judge seeing what it was that caused it waited, while Mrs. Assheton moved from her place, and made her way to the front of the dock in which Morris sat.  She had been in the witness-box that day, and everyone knew her, and all made way for her, moving as the blades of corn move when the wind stirs them, for her right was recognised and unquestioned.  But the dock was high above her, and a barrister who sat below instantly vacated his seat, she got up and stood on it.  All eyes were fixed on her, and none saw that at this moment a telegram was handed to the judge which he opened and read.

Then he turned to the foreman of the jury.

“What verdict, do you find?” he asked.

“Not guilty.”

Mrs. Assheton had already grasped Morris’s hands in hers, and just as the words were spoken she kissed him.

* * * * *

Then a shout arose which bade fair to lift the roof off, and neither judge nor ushers of the court made any attempt to quiet it, and if it was only for the sensation of seeing the gallows march nearer the prisoner that these folk had come together, yet there was no mistaking the genuineness of their congratulations now.  Morris’s whole behaviour too, had been so gallant and brave; innocent though he knew himself to be, yet it required a very high courage to listen to the damning accumulation of evidence against him, and if there is one thing that the ordinary man appreciates more than sensation, it is pluck.  Then, but not for a long time, the uproar subsided, and the silence descended again.  Then the judge spoke.

“Mr. Assheton,” he said, “for I no longer can call you prisoner, the jury have of course found you not guilty of the terrible crime of which you were accused, and I need not say that I entirely agree with their verdict.  Throughout the trial you have had my sympathy and my admiration for your gallant bearing.”  Then at a sign from the judge his mother and he were let out by the private door below the bench.

After they had gone silence was restored.  Everyone knew that there must be more to come.  The prisoner was found not guilty; the murder was still unavenged.

Then once more the judge spoke.