"I do not. It was my belief then, and is now----" "Stop," said the solicitor. "Confine yourself to facts only," said the court. "You are well acquainted with Mr. Morgan?" "As well as possible in the short time I have known him." "What is his character?" "He is a gentleman and as brave as any man I ever saw on the field of battle." There was slight applause as the general came down, but it was for the general himself. "Mr. Royson will please take the stand," said the solicitor. "You were the author of the letter concerning the alleged parentage of Edward Morgan, which was published in an extra in this city a few weeks since?" Royson bowed slightly. "From whom did you get your information?" "From Rita Morgan," he said, calmly. There was a breathless silence for a moment and then an angry murmur in the great audience. All eyes were fixed upon Edward, who had grown pale, but he maintained his calmness. The astounding statement had filled him with a sickening horror. Not until that moment did he fully comprehend the extent of the enmity cherished against him by the witness. On the face of Barksdale descended a look as black as night. He did not, however, move a muscle. "You say that Rita Morgan told you--when?" "About a week previous to her death. She declared that her own son had secured his rights at last. I had been consulted by her soon after John Morgan's death, looking to the protection of those rights, she being of the opinion that Gerald Morgan would inherit. When it was found that this defendant here had inherited she called, paid my fee and made the statement as given." "Why did you fight a duel with the defendant, then--knowing, or believing you knew, his base parentage?" "I was forced to do so by the fact that I was challenged direct and no informant demanded; and by the fact that while my friends were discussing my situation, General Evan, acting under a mistaken idea, vouched for him." These ingenuous answers took away the general's breath. He had never anticipated such plausible lies. Even Dabney was for the moment bewildered. Edward could scarcely restrain his emotion and horror. As a matter of fact, Rita was not dead when the challenge was accepted. Royson had lied under oath! "The witness is with you," said the solicitor, with just a tinge of sarcasm in his tones. "Were the statements of Rita Morgan in writing?" asked Dabney. "No." "Then, may it please Your Honor, I move to rule them out." A debate followed. The statements were ruled out. Royson was suffered to descend, subject to recall. "The State closes," said the prosecuting officer. Then came the sensation of the day. The crowd and the bar were wondering what the defense would attempt with no witnesses, when Dabney arose.