"I should understand reasonable doubt if I were uninstructed, but
I do not think I could explain it. I should be, concerning it,
somewhat as Saint Augustine was with a certain doctrine of the
Church when he said: `I do not know if you ask me; but if you do
not ask me I know very well.'"
He paused and blew a tiny ring or smoke out over the terrace
toward the sea.
"There was a certain poetic justice finally in that case," he
added.
"The prisoners were properly convicted of the Haymarket murders,"
said the American Justice.
"Ah, no doubt," returned the Count; "but I was not thinking of
that. Following a custom of your courts, I believe, the judge at
the end of the trial put the formal inquiry as to whether the
prisoners had anything to say. Whereupon they rose and addressed
him for six days!"
He bowed.
"After that, monsieur, I am glad to add, they were all very
properly hanged.
"But, monsieur, permit me to return to my question: Do you think
any intelligent tribunal on this earth would acquit Bough of Oak
of the murder of Corporal Flint under the conditions I have
indicated?"
"No," said the American.
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