“We will finish the case for the prosecution, and then.⁠ ⁠…”

“As you think best.⁠ ⁠… Well?” the president raised his eyes to the doctor. “So you consider that death was instantaneous?”

“Yes, in consequence of the extent of the injury to the brain substance.⁠ ⁠…”

When the doctor had finished, the president gazed into the space between the prosecutor and the counsel for the defence and suggested:

“Have you any questions to ask?”

The assistant prosecutor shook his head negatively, without lifting his eyes from Cain ; the counsel for the defence unexpectedly stirred and, clearing his throat, asked:

“Tell me, doctor, can you from the dimensions of the wound form any theory as to⁠ ⁠… as to the mental condition of the criminal? That is, I mean, does the extent of the injury justify the supposition that the accused was suffering from temporary aberration?”

The president raised his drowsy indifferent eyes to the counsel for the defence. The assistant prosecutor tore himself from Cain , and looked at the president. They merely looked, but there was no smile, no surprise, no perplexity-their faces expressed nothing.

“Perhaps,” the doctor hesitated, “if one considers the force with which⁠ ⁠… er⁠—er⁠—er⁠ ⁠… the criminal strikes the blow.⁠ ⁠… However, excuse me, I don’t quite understand your question.⁠ ⁠…”