Ralph's speech could not of course break the force of the testimony against him.

But it had its effect, and it had effect enough to alarm Bronson, who rose and said: "I should like to ask the prisoner at the bar one question." "Ask me a dozen," said Hartsook, looking more like a king than a criminal.
"Well, then, Mr.Hartsook.You need not answer unless you choose; but what prompted you to take the direction you did in your walk on that evening ?" This shot brought Ralph down.

To answer this question truly would attach to friendless Hannah Thomson some of the disgrace that now belonged to him.
"I decline to answer," said Ralph.
"Of course, I do not want the prisoner to criminate himself," said Bronson significantly.
During this last passage Bud had come in, but, to Ralph's disappointment he remained near the door, talking to Walter Johnson, who had come with him.

The magistrates put their heads together to fix the amount of bail, and, as they differed, talked for some minutes.

Small now for the first time thought best to make a move in his own proper person.