I wholly refuse to avail myself of any
defence based on any such supposition; on any idea at all, that
Paolina Foscarelli is guilty. I know that she is as innocent of this
deed as the angels in heaven. I will proclaim her innocence with my
last breath. I will not accept any acquittal on the hypothesis of
her guilt. I will rather avow that I did the deed myself. In one
sense I did so. In one sense I am guilty of her death. For it was I
who took her to the place, and into the circumstance that led to her
death."
"Signor Marchese, in this matter the truth of the facts is what is
wanted. It is that, and that alone that the magistrates will
endeavour to discover. A great many facts, as I have pointed out to
you, will be before them. Mere statements, one way or the other,
will have little avail. Quietly and seriously now, supposing we
reject the theory of Paolina's guilt, are you able yourself to
conceive any other possible explanations of the facts? Can you
yourself suggest any other theory whatsoever?" said the lawyer,
throwing his head on one side, and interlacing the fingers of his
clasped hands in front of his person, in calm expectation of the
Marchese's answer.
"There was another theory. I heard that the Conte Leandro had been
arrested on suspicion of being the assassin. It would be very
dreadful.
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