to exercise your prerogative, and stay such impertinent
matter, which can have no reference whatever to the
defence of the prisoner."

"Prisoner," resumed the president, who, as well as the
other members of the court, had listened with the most
profound and absorbing interest to the singular disclosure
of him whom they still only knew as Frank Halloway, "this
language cannot be permitted; you must confine yourself
to your defence."

"Pardon me, gentlemen," returned Halloway, in his usual
firm but respectful tone of voice; "pardon me, if, standing
on the brink of the grave as I do, I have so far forgotten
the rules of military discipline as to sink for a moment
the soldier in the gentleman; but to be taxed with an
unworthy fabrication, and to be treated with contumely
when avowing the secret of my condition, was more than
human pride and human feeling could tolerate."

"Confine yourself, prisoner, to your defence," again
remarked Captain Blessington, perceiving the restlessness
with which the governor listened to these bold and
additional observations of Halloway.

Again the governor interposed:--"What possible connexion
can there be between this man's life, and the crime with
which he stands charged? Captain Blessington, this is
trifling with the court, who are assembled to try the
prisoner for his treason, and not to waste their time in