You think it's the end--no, it hasn't come so far yet, and perhaps it won't come so far at all.

I may tell you that a petition for mercy has been sent to His Majesty." Konrad looked up as if in a dream, and the dim light showed how terribly pale and sunken his cheeks were.

"Mercy!" he muttered in suppressed tones.

"Mercy for me?
Then--why did you condemn me ?" The question appeared to puzzle the judge.

The delinquent seemed in all seriousness to think himself innocent.