PARTS:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
? ? ? ? The soldier once more spoke; in a tone of suggestive dubiety addressing at once his associates and Captain Vere: "Nobody is present- none of the ship's company, I mean- who might shed lateral light, if any is to be had, upon what remains mysterious in this matter."
? ? ? ? "That is thoughtfully put," said Captain Vere; "I see your drift. Ay, there is a mystery; but, to use a Scriptural phrase, it is 'a mystery of iniquity,' a matter for psychologic theologians to discuss. But what has a military court to do with it? Not to add that for us any possible investigation of it is cut off by the lasting tongue-tie of- him- in yonder," again designating the mortuary stateroom. "The prisoner's deed,- with that alone we have to do."
? ? ? ? To this, and particularly the closing reiteration, the marine soldier knowing not how aptly to reply, sadly abstained from saying aught. The First Lieutenant who at the outset had not unnaturally assumed primacy in the court, now overrulingly instructed by a glance from Captain Vere, a glance more effective than words, resumed that primacy. Turning to the prisoner, "Budd," he said, and scarce in equable tones, "Budd, if you have aught further to say for yourself, say it now.
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