Oh, I wish with all my soul they would hang me instead!" Arrived at home, Washington fell into a chair and buried his face in his hands and gave full way to his misery.

The Colonel did not know where to turn nor what to do.

The servant maid knocked at the door and passed in a telegram, saying it had come while they were gone.
The Colonel tore it open and read with the voice of a man-of-war's broadside: "VERDICT OF JURY, NOT GUILTY AND LAURA IS FREE!".