The defendant was charged with having murdered a woman with
whom he had been intimate, and his guilt of murder in the
first degree was demonstrated upon the evidence beyond
peradventure. At the conclusion of the case, the defendant
not having dared to take the stand, the lawyer arose to
address the jury in behalf of what appeared a hopeless cause.
Even the old German in the back row seemed plunged in
soporific inattention. After a few introductory remarks the
lawyer raised his voice and in heart-rending tones began:
"In the beautiful county of Schleswig-Holstein sits a woman
old and gray, waiting the message of your verdict from beyond
the seas." (Number 11 opened his eyes and looked at the
lawyer as if not quite sure of what he had heard.) "There she
sits" (continued the attorney), "in Schleswig-Holstein, by her
cottage window, waiting, waiting to learn whether her boy is
to be returned to her outstretched arms." (Number 11 sat up
and rubbed his forehead.) "Had the woman, who so unhappily
met her death at the hands of my unfortunate client, been like
those women of Schleswig-Holstein--noble, sweet, pure, lovely
women of Schleswig-Holstein--I should have naught to say to
you in his behalf.
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