liberate coolly upon the evidence that had been laid before them,
and after due consideration of the case, if there was a doubt upon their
minds, they were to let the prisoner have the full benefit of
it--wherever there was the least uncertainty it was right to lean to the
side of mercy.

The case was then given to the jury. The jury did not leave their box,
but counseled together in a low voice for half an hour, during which a
death-like silence, a suffocating atmosphere filled the court-room.

Thurston alone was calm, his soul had collected all its force to meet
the shock of whatever fate might come--honor or dishonor, life or death!

Presently the foreman of the jury arose, followed by the others.

Every heart stood still.

"Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon your verdict?" demanded the
judge.

"Yes, your honor," responded the foreman, on the part of his colleagues.

"How say you--is the prisoner at the bar 'Guilty or not guilty?'"

"Not guilty!" cried the shrill tones of a girl near the outer door,
toward which all eyes, in astonishment and inquiry, were now turned, to
see a slight female figure, in the garb of a Sister of Mercy, clinging
to the arm of Cloudesley Mornington, and who was now pushing and
elbowing his way through the crowd toward the bench.

All gave way--many that were seated arose to their feet, and spoke in
eager whispers, or looked over each others' heads.

"Order! silence in the court!" shouted the marshal.

"Your honor--this lady is a vitally important witness for the defense,"
said Cloudy, pushing his way into the presence of the judge, leaving his
female companion standing before the bench and then hurrying to the
dock, where he grasped the hand of the prisoner, exclaiming,
breathlessly: "Saved--Thurston! Saved!"

"Order! silence!" called out the marshal, by way of making himself
agreeable--for there was silence in the court, where all the audience at
least were more anxious to hear than to speak.

"Your honor, I move that the new witness be heard," said Mr. Romford.

"The defense is closed--the charge given to the jury, who have decided
upon their verdict," answered the State's Attorney.

"The verdict has not been rendered, the jury have the privilege of
hearing this new witness," said the judge.

The jury were unanimous in the resolution to withhold their verdict
until they had heard.

This being decided, the Sister of Mercy took the stand, threw aside her
long, b